The assistant commander of the Iranian navy for operations affairs, Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, announced the launch of major naval exercises between Iran, Russia and China in the northern Indian Ocean Friday morning.

The Iranian News Agency (IRNA) quoted Tahhani as saying that the aim of these maneuvers is to establish security and its pillars in the region. China) and at this level, it is certain that the countries closest to each other economically, politically, socially and security work together to provide collective security. ”

On the tactics of exercises in the joint naval exercises, the maritime official said that they are diverse and include rescuing ships exposed to fire and liberating ships that are attacked and throwing at specific targets and all other tactical exercises planned.

On the importance of the maneuvers area, he said that the Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean in the world and overlooked by very important countries and includes the three important straits, namely the Bab al-Mandab, Malaga and Hormuz, which is considered to be the golden triangle in the region.

He continued that the objectives of the exercises are to enhance the security of international maritime trade, confront sea pirates and maritime terrorism, exchange information in the field of maritime relief and rescue, and exchange experiences.

Tahhani said that the message of these maneuvers is peace, friendship and sustainable security in light of cooperation and collective union, and one of its results is that isolation cannot be imposed on Iran and it is the most important gain of these exercises.

He considered that conducting these exercises means that the relations between the three countries Iran, Russia and China have reached an important stage, and this pace will continue during the coming years as well.

The exercises, which started on Friday morning, continue for 4 days in the North Indian Ocean and the Sea of ​​Oman, on an area of ​​17 thousand square kilometers, with the participation of the Naval Force and Revolutionary Guards.

A Japanese surveillance plane flies over an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden (Reuters)

Japanese forces
In a related context, the Japanese Cabinet approved the dispatch of naval personnel to the Middle East to gather information and help ensure the safety of the oil transport lines.

According to the document ratified by the council, Tokyo will send a destroyer equipped with a helicopter and two patrol planes. In the event of any emergency, the Japanese Defense Minister will allow the forces to use weapons to defend the endangered ships.

The document indicated that the planned operation is expected to cover international waters in the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

A defense ministry official said that the operation of the two patrol planes would begin next month, while the destroyer would likely begin its activities in the area in February, probably.

The dispute between Iran and the United States has intensified since last year, when US President Donald Trump withdrew from an agreement concluded by world powers with Iran in 2015 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, which paralyzed its economy.

In May and June, attacks targeted several commercial ships, including the Japanese-owned carrier Kokuka Carriages, in the area. The United States blamed Iran for the attacks, which the Islamic Republic denied.

Japan is an ally of the United States and at the same time maintains friendly relations with Iran, choosing to embark on a process of its own rather than joining a Washington-led mission to protect shipping in the region.