Iran's naval forces will hold joint exercises with their Russian and Chinese counterparts by the end of March 20, at a time of heightened regional tensions following the Israel-Hamas war.
"The drills are meant for regional security and common interests," said Iran's naval commander, Rear Adm. Shahram Irani, at a naval academy in the northern city of Manjil on Monday, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
The Iranian commander did not specify the exact location and scope of the drills but noted that invites had been sent out to other countries to join.
Iran, Russia and China held similar war games in the Gulf of Oman last March. The four-day exercises involved Iran's leading destroyer, Jamaran — a Moudge-class frigate — China's South Sea Fleet warship, the Nanning, and Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate.
