Iran and Russia are set to hold a joint naval exercise on Thursday in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, hosted by the Iranian Army, against the backdrop of an expanded US military presence in the region and the prospect of a military confrontation with Tehran.
Rear Admiral Hassan Maqsoudlou, spokesperson for the exercise, said the main objective is to enhance maritime security and promote sustainable naval interactions in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.
He added that fostering convergence and coordination in joint efforts to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety—particularly the protection of commercial vessels and oil tankers, as well as combating maritime terrorism—are among the key priorities of the drill.
“This exercise reflects the two countries’ attention to ongoing developments in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean and demonstrates their commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation, countering unilateralism, and supporting the security of maritime trade in the region,” he said.
The commander of the Russian naval task group, Captain First Rank Aleksei Sergeyev, said the current level of engagement and cooperation shows that both sides can jointly manage and resolve many maritime and coastal challenges.
“We are ready to conduct joint exercises in any region, including specialized drills such as maritime counterterrorism operations carried out by naval vessels and boats from both sides,” he added.
The exercise comes days after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) conducted drills in the Strait of Hormuz.
The maneuvers also coincide with the United States deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region. According to some US officials, Washington is preparing for the possibility of a prolonged military campaign should negotiations between Iran and the United States fail. The second round of the talks were held on Tuesday in Geneva.
Earlier, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had moved toward the Middle East and has been positioned south of the Strait of Hormuz within the operational area of United States Central Command.
