Beijing: China’s Ministry of Defense has announced that the country will conduct joint naval exercises with Iran and Russia in the coming days.
According to an official statement, these military drills will take place near Iranian waters, particularly in the southeastern region near the strategic port of Chabahar. The Iranian news agency Tasnim, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirmed that the exercises would commence on Monday, March 10.
These joint naval drills have been held annually over the past few years. However, this year’s exercises come at a critical time, as tensions between Iran and Western powers, particularly the United States and Israel, have escalated. Both countries have repeatedly warned of possible military action against Iran over its nuclear program.
Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, threats of military confrontation have increased. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that military action remains an option to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The announcement of the joint naval exercises comes just a day after Iran’s Supreme Leader rejected a proposal from Trump for negotiations, calling it "authoritative and coercive." Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, previously stated that Tehran had not received any official letter from Trump addressed to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes reaffirmed the U.S. stance, emphasizing that Iran should prioritize its national interests over "supporting terrorism." Hughes reiterated Trump’s position that the Iran nuclear issue must be resolved through either diplomatic negotiations or military means.
Over the past few weeks, Iranian officials have consistently stated that Tehran will not engage in direct talks with Washington. Iran’s position has hardened since Trump initiated the "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran early in his presidency. This policy categorized Iran’s actions as a direct threat to U.S. national security.
The upcoming military exercises highlight deepening cooperation between Iran, Russia, and China, particularly in light of global geopolitical shifts. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both Iran and China have faced increasing international scrutiny for their continued military and economic engagements with Moscow.
In March 2023, the three countries conducted a similar four-day joint naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean. The previous year, they held another set of drills in the same region, labeled the 2022 Combined Maritime Security Belt Exercise. These operations were primarily conducted in the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the strategic Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.
Iran’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS has further strengthened its ties with China and Russia. As these alliances deepen, Tehran has increasingly aligned its foreign policy with Moscow and Beijing, particularly concerning nuclear negotiations.
In early 2025, Iran and Russia officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at bolstering military, political, and economic ties. The Kremlin stated that this agreement would enhance bilateral relations, particularly in defense and trade.
The growing cooperation between authoritarian regimes has raised concerns in Western capitals. Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previously warned about an emerging "alliance of autocratic regimes," emphasizing that Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea have become more united in challenging Western democracies.
