Tehran: Warships from Iran, China, and Russia launched their annual joint naval exercises on Monday, signaling growing military cooperation among the three nations. The drills, dubbed Security Belt-2025, are taking place near the Iranian port of Chabahar and mark the fifth such exercise since 2019.
Analysts view these maneuvers as a clear demonstration of the strengthening ties between the three authoritarian governments, which share a common opposition to U.S. influence and the Western-led global order.
This year’s drills are particularly notable as U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies continue to disrupt traditional Western alliances, particularly through his shifting stance on NATO and his outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the expense of Ukraine.
When questioned about the joint exercises, Trump dismissed concerns, telling Fox News aboard Air Force One that the U.S. remains militarily superior. “We’re stronger than all of them. We have more power than all of them,” he stated confidently.
Meanwhile, in Washington, officials are increasingly wary of the deepening partnerships between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. U.S. lawmakers have described these nations as forming an “axis of authoritarianism” that poses a growing global challenge. The concern is that their coordinated efforts could amplify threats to U.S. interests across multiple regions.
Russia’s ties with North Korea have strengthened significantly over the past year, culminating in a mutual defense agreement and reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Additionally, tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated, particularly as Trump reinstates his “maximum pressure” strategy, seeking to cripple Tehran’s oil exports to hinder its nuclear ambitions.
The location of these naval exercises is highly strategic. The Gulf of Oman connects the Indian Ocean to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which over 25% of the world’s maritime oil trade flows. The U.S. maintains a strong naval presence in the region through its Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that the drills involve 15 combat vessels, along with support ships and helicopters. Russia is participating with two corvettes, Rezky and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, along with the Pechenega tanker.
China has deployed its Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou and the supply ship Gaoyouhu, while Iran has contributed a stealth missile corvette and a patrol ship.
According to China’s Defense Ministry, the exercises will focus on enhancing military trust and operational coordination through simulated maritime strikes, search-and-rescue operations, and boarding exercises.
