Iran, Russia, and China set for joint naval exercises amid escalating Middle East tensions
The precise location of the maneuvers was not disclosed. However, the last year's trilateral exercises took place in the Gulf of Oman in March.
Feb 6, 2024 | updated: 4:06 AM EST, March 7, 2024
The Iranian news agency Tasnim referred to the exercises as a "war game" and underlined that the army extended invitations to numerous other countries.
Escalating Tensions in the Middle East
This year's exercises occur in the context of increasing tensions in the Middle East. The Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have been launching rocket attacks and drone strikes on warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. They justify their actions by expressing support for the Palestinian group, Hamas, which is currently engaged in an armed conflict with Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
In retaliation, the U.S. and British armed forces are conducting operations against Houthi targets in the Yemen regions currently under rebel control.
Although China has not officially condemned the actions of the Houthis, Reuters reports that Chinese officials have requested assistance from their Iranian counterparts to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea instigated by this armed group.
