Iran, China, Russia announce naval drills in northern Indian Ocean

Iran has announced holding joint maritime drills alongside the naval forces of Russia and China in the northern Indian Ocean on March 15-19.

Naval forces of both Iran's regular army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) are going to take part in the drills, the Mehr news agency reported on March 14.

The Iranian army's public relations department described the drill as "Peace, friendship and stable maritime security based on unity and responsible collective cooperation".

The three countries held a similar exercise in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman in 2019 and 2021.