Messages from the joint exercise between Iran, Russia, and China; Tehran at the peak of military readiness.
Al Jazeera Network examined the messages of the joint naval exercise between Iran, Russia, and China in the port of Chabahar, titled Maritime Security Belt, in a report.
The report states that the messages of this event are not limited to its military dimension; they also overlap with political and economic contexts, which reflect the priorities of the countries participating in this exercise in light of the intensification of Western pressure on these powers and the efforts of the aforementioned countries to strengthen their defense partnerships in the face of growing challenges.
These exercises are taking place at the same time as the critical phase of increasing tensions between Iran and the United States; the United States is seeking to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program and missile capabilities and has imposed new economic sanctions on the country.
According to Al Jazeera, US President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military action against Iran if the country refuses to negotiate give other dimensions to the joint exercise between Iran, Russia and China that go beyond the traditional military dimensions and clear political messages.
The location chosen for the exercise also carries special strategic messages. The exercise will be held in Iran’s Chabahar port, which overlooks the Indian Ocean and is not only a naval base but also a focal point for regional economic projects, making it a central location for Iran’s international trade routes and logistical goals.
Given these considerations, the question arises as to whether the choice of Chabahar for such an exercise reflects Iran’s increasing maritime influence or whether it carries broader messages that go beyond regional borders and encompass the global balance of power?
Given the current international situation, this development is significant for political and military circles, as the exercise is taking place at a time when Russia is increasingly isolated internationally as a result of its war in Ukraine, as well as the intense competition between China and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.
All of these factors place the trilateral naval exercise between Iran, China and Russia in a broader context than military cooperation and represent an event with multiple dimensions at the regional and international levels.
In this context, Hossein Kanani Moghadam, an Iranian political activist, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera: These maneuvers in Chabahar are part of the response to Trump’s threats against Iran, and Trump should know that Iran is not alone and that allied countries such as Russia and China are present alongside it.
He added: Based on long-term agreements between Iran and China (25-year agreements) and between Iran and Russia (20-year agreements), which include some military, security and intelligence cooperation as well as trilateral maneuvers between these countries, such maneuvers are held at certain periods.
Kanani Moghadam added: The message of these maneuvers is clear: Asian countries such as Iran and China are powerful alongside Russia and are willing to cooperate to ensure their regional and international security.