IRIA News

4 minute read

The navies of China, Russia, and Iran are conducting joint military exercises off the coast of Iran in the Gulf of Oman this week, marking another display of their deepening defense cooperation.

According to Iranian state-owned media reports, the drills will begin on March 11, 2025, in the strategic port of Chabahar, located in southeastern Iran along the Gulf of Oman. The duration of the exercises has not been specified.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency stated that the military drills will involve warships, combat vessels, and support ships from all three countries, including Iranian naval forces from both the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards. The stated objectives of the exercises include reinforcing security in the region and expanding multilateral cooperation among the participating nations.

China’s Ministry of Defense also confirmed its participation, announcing that it would deploy a destroyer and a supply ship. A host of other nations, including Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka, will attend as observers.

Growing military collaboration

This is not the first time the three nations have engaged in such coordinated military exercises. In recent years, Iran, Russia, and China have strengthened their military partnerships as a counterweight to what they perceive as American dominance in global affairs.

Last year in March, the three countries held similar joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman, where they conducted drills focused on maritime security, anti-piracy operations, and coordinated maneuvers. The drills emphasized their commitment to regional stability while simultaneously sending a geopolitical message to Western powers.

Additionally, in 2019, Iran, Russia, and China conducted the first such trilateral exercises in the Indian Ocean. These drills came amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran following Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. At the time, the exercises were seen as a demonstration of solidarity against Western pressure and a push for an alternative security framework in the region.

Strategic and political implications

The current round of military drills comes at a time of heightened global geopolitical tensions. Russia remains engaged in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, facing heavy Western sanctions, while China continues its military assertiveness in the South China Sea. Iran, for its part, remains locked in disputes with the West over its nuclear program and faces increasing diplomatic isolation.

By continuing these joint naval drills, Iran, Russia, and China are underscoring their shared strategic interests in challenging the U.S. and Western influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Middle Eastern regions.

Chabahar, the location of the exercises, is a crucial maritime hub with strategic importance for Iran’s regional ambitions. It is also the site of significant international investments, including India’s involvement in port development projects aimed at bypassing Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The participation of observer nations in these exercises highlights growing international interest in alternative security frameworks outside of Western alliances. Many of the observer states, such as Pakistan, Qatar, and the UAE, maintain diplomatic ties with both Western and Eastern powers and are likely assessing the evolving balance of power in the region.

The inclusion of Oman, a nation known for its neutral stance and role in regional mediation, is also noteworthy. Oman shares maritime boundaries with Iran and has historically acted as a bridge between Tehran and the West.

Broader context

Iran has been particularly active in recent months in showcasing its military capabilities. In February, the Iranian army conducted naval exercises in the same area, emphasizing its readiness to defend against external threats. These activities align with Tehran’s broader strategy of demonstrating self-sufficiency in military defense amid continued Western sanctions and arms embargoes.

The increasing frequency of joint drills between these three nations is likely to continue attracting scrutiny from the United States and its allies. Washington has frequently criticized such exercises as destabilizing, arguing that they embolden nations accused of undermining global security norms.

With tensions in multiple global hotspots, the latest Iran- Russia- China naval exercises are likely to be closely watched as an indicator of shifting alliances and emerging security architectures beyond Western-led coalitions. Whether this trilateral partnership will evolve into a more formalized military bloc remains to be seen, but their increasing coordination signals a clear intention to present an alternative to the U.S.-led international order.