TEHRAN – Joint maritime maneuvers, involving the Russian, Chinese andIranian Navies, have entered their second day in the Indian Ocean and theSea of Oman.
The naval drills, the first of their kind, were launched on Friday with theaim of securing international trade routes in strategic waterways andboosting preparedness among participants against piracy and marineterrorism.
The three countries have sent some of their most advanced vessels to takepart in the four-day exercises.
Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said the drills aredesigned to heighten security in the region’s crucially important waterways.
Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, Iranian flotilla chief, said the maneuverscover 17,000 square kilometers and consist of “various tactical exercises,”including target practice and rescuing ships from assaults and fires.
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“Among the objectives of this exercise are improving the security ofinternational maritime trade, countering maritime piracy and terrorism,exchanging information regarding rescue operations and operational andtactical experience,” he said.
Tahani also stressed that the joint drills serve as a signal to the worldthat ties between Tehran, Moscow and Beijing have reached a “meaningful”level.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the naval drills withChina and Russia “make clear our broader commitment to secure vitalwaterways.
