The three nations begin a four-day joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean & Gulf of Oman; Russia claims this is an exercise designed to improve foreign naval cooperation and strengthen training; Iranian Official claims that this exercise will prove that Iran cannot be isolated.
On Friday, China, Iran, and Russia began a four-day joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman. Russia claims this exercise is designed to build its foreign naval cooperation and strengthen its training. As for some of the drills to be included in the exercise, reports indicate that the three nations will be conducting shooting drills and preparing to rescue ships.
Something significant about the Gulf of Oman is that it’s responsible for exporting approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply due to its connection to the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian official boasted of this exercise when stating, “The message of this exercise is peace, friendship and lasting security through cooperation and unit. Additionally, the official, vice-admiral Gholamreza Tahani, vowed that this drill will prove that Iran cannot be ‘isolated’, because this exercise proves that Iran’s relationship with both China and Russia, two rivals of the United States, is only growing.
The purpose of this drill is believed to be a direct message to the United States to let them know that their power in the Middle East has its limits. One US source believes that this exercise gives all three countries exactly what they want. 1) Iran gets to show itself as a regional powerhouse. 2) Russia gets to declare itself a main factor in the Middle East. 3) China gets the opportunity to reveal their naval power.
