BEIJING, March 15. /TASS/. The naval forces of China, Russia, Iran and other countries will hold joint naval drills in the waters of the Gulf of Oman from March 15 to 19, the Chinese National Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

"From March 15 to 19, the naval forces of China, Iran, Russia and other countries will hold joint naval drills ‘Maritime Security Belt 2023’ in the Gulf of Oman," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the document, China’s People's Liberation Army Navy will be represented by the missile destroyer Nanning. "In general, it will take part in aerial search operations, sea rescue, naval parade formation exercises, as well as other tasks within the framework of the drills," the statement reads.