Iran, China and Russia hold joint naval drills in show of unity

Iran, China and Russia held joint naval drills within the Indian Ocean on Friday which they mentioned had been aimed toward boosting marine safety, Iranian state TV reported.

An official from Iran’s armed forces mentioned 11 vessels had been collaborating within the “2022 Marine Safety Belt” workout routines together with three Russian ships, and two Chinese language vessels – which included a guided-missile destroyer.

State TV mentioned Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) additionally particpated within the drills with helicopters and small ships. 

The report mentioned that the manoeuvres coated 17,000 sq. kilometres within the northern Indian Ocean, and included night time combating, rescue operations and firefighting workout routines.

That is the third joint naval drill between the nations since 2019 and comes because the three face off towards the West in a legion of sizzling spots throughout the globe.  

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Friday’s army workout routines got here sizzling on the heels of a go to by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Russia which ended on Thursday.

“Enhancing bilateral relations between Tehran and Moscow will improve safety for the area and the worldwide area,” Raisi mentioned upon getting back from Russia, the official IRNA information company reported.

Raisi mentioned he had offered Moscow with draft paperwork on strategic ties that may cement joint collaboration for the following twenty years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the 2 nations’ “shut cooperation” within the area, significantly in Syria, regardless of divisions over Israel’s army strikes there.

The assembly additionally centered on the continued nuclear talks in Vienna, with Putin, whose nation is likely one of the unique signatories to the deal, telling his Iranian counterpart that it was “crucial” for Moscow to know Raisi’s opinion on the accord.

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China’s participation within the workout routines got here after a whirlwind of Beijing’s personal diplomatic exercise within the area, and follows a gathering on Saturday between Chinese language and Iranian international ministers to announce the launch of a 25-year cooperation settlement aimed toward strengthening financial and political ties.

In the meantime, Russia is at loggerheads with the US and the West over its neighbour, Ukraine. Moscow has reportedly despatched some 100,000 troops to the border, which Washington, Kiev and their allies concern shall be used to invade the nation.