The naval forces of Iran and Russia are scheduled to hold a joint exercise on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean. Hassan Maqsoudlou, spokesman for the exercise, stated that its objective is to enhance maritime security, expand cooperation between the navies of both countries, and improve coordination in joint operations, reported Mehr news agency. Maqsoudlou noted that the protection of merchant and oil tankers, as well as the fight against maritime terrorism, are among the main objectives of the exercise, reflecting the growing role of regional countries in ensuring maritime security and their commitment to combating unilateralism, according to the report. Commander of the Russian Navy, Alexey Sergeev, highlighted the "friendly and close" relations between Moscow and Tehran, stating that both countries are capable of addressing "many maritime and coastal problems and challenges" through cooperation, the report added. According to the semi-official Iranian news agency Fars, the exercise will involve the participation of ships from the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, as well as the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoikiy of the Russian Navy. The exercise takes place against a backdrop of decreasing tension between Iran and the United States, with an increase in the US military presence in the region.
On Tuesday, the IRGC Navy temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz on the second day of its exercises in this strategic waterway, Iranian media reported.
