In the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel's aggression against Palestine, China, Russia, and Iran are set to conduct joint naval exercises in the coming weeks. Iranian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, announced that the exercises would take place before March.
"The purpose of these exercises is regional security," stated Irani, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Tuesday (6/2).
Irani also mentioned that several other countries have been invited to participate in the exercises. Pakistan, Brazil, Oman, India, and South Africa are among the countries invited as observers.
However, there is limited information regarding the location of these military exercises.
This collaboration between Iran, Russia, and China comes after their participation in the Security Bond-2023 exercises, which lasted for five days. The exercises included anti-terrorism training, anti-piracy operations, and simulations of rescue missions for hijacked merchant vessels.
The timing of these upcoming military exercises coincides with the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East following Israel's brutal aggression against Palestine on October 7th. Various militias in the region have joined forces to retaliate against Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Syria, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In recent months, the Houthi rebels have also been targeting and hijacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, particularly those affiliated with Israel and the United States. The Houthis have threatened to continue these attacks in the Red Sea until Israel ceases its brutal aggression against Palestine.
The Houthi rebels have justified their attacks in the Red Sea as a means to support the Palestinian cause.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have further escalated as the United States launched a series of airstrikes in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen in response to provocations by various militias in the region.