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Military drills

Naval drills of Russia, Iran, China meant as show of force, Iranian minister says

This year's maneuvers in the Gulf of Oman involve more than 20 ships, support vessels and fast-attack craft from the three countries

DUBAI, March 13. /TASS/. One of the goals of the Maritime Security Belt-2024 naval exercise that is being held by Russia, Iran and China is a show of force, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani told reporters.

"The exercises are held as a show of force. In these maneuvers, three major world powers are jointly rehearsing [efforts to] ensure stability in the region and security of important sea lanes," he was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.

The minister also pointed to the presence of observers from such countries as Oman, Pakistan and Azerbaijan as a sign of importance of the exercise.

Earlier on Wednesday, Amrollah Nozari, commander of the Imam Ali Naval Base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, told the news agency that Iran took part in the exercise with two frigates and three cruisers. He said the maneuvers are covering an area of 17,000 square kilometers, which includes three of the five key straits in the north of the Indian Ocean. The exercise also shows the capability of Iran, China and Russia to jointly ensure global security, Nozari stated.

It’s the sixth Exercise Maritime Security Belt since 2018. Ships from Iran, China and Russia have regularly participated in the drills. This year's maneuvers in the Gulf of Oman involve more than 20 ships, support vessels and fast-attack craft from the three countries. The objective of the maneuvers is "to practice ensuring the security of maritime economic activity." It’s the first time that representatives from the navies of Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa are attending the exercise as observers.

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