China, Iran, Russia to hold joint naval drills

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China, Iran and Russia will hold five-day trilateral naval drills in the Gulf of Oman as of Wednesday, Beijing said.

The trilateral maritime exercises, Security Belt-2023, will conclude on Sunday, China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Militaries from Beijing, Moscow and Tehran have held several joint exercises so far.

"The Security Belt-2023 exercise is developed from the two joint maritime exercises held by the three countries in 2019 and 2022," the ministry said.

It added the Chinese military will dispatch the guided-missile destroyer Nanning to participate in the exercises which include aerial search, maritime rescue and ship parade.

"The Security Belt-2023 exercise will facilitate the deepening of the practical cooperation among the navies of the participating countries, further demonstrate their willingness and ability to jointly protect maritime security, actively build a maritime community with a shared future, and inject a positive momentum to the regional peace and stability," said the Chinese Defense Ministry.