"Protect common interests": exercises of Russia, Iran and China are held in the Arabian Sea

In the waters of the Arabian Sea on March 15, the trilateral naval exercises of Russia, China and Iran "Maritime Security Belt - 2023" began.

"Today, in the waters of the Arabian Sea near the port of Chahbehar of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the trilateral naval exercise "Maritime Security Belt - 2023" started with the participation of the Navy of the Russian Federation, the Naval Forces of the People's Liberation Army of China and the Naval Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The Russian side is represented at the maneuvers by the frigate "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov", carrying on board the Zircon hypersonic missiles, as well as the medium sea tanker "Kama".

From Iran, the frigates "Sahand" and "Jamaran", the corvette "Bayandor" and a number of other ships of the Republic's Navy will take part in the exercises. China sent the PLA Navy destroyer Nanjing to the exercises.

The release of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation notes that at the first stage of the maneuvers, military sailors on the maps will work out the drawing of episodes of the exercise on practical actions at sea, and also "will conduct briefings and tactical flyers."

The marine stage will be held from 16 to 17 March. Within its framework, the participants will carry out the "formation of an interethnic detachment of warships" and joint maneuvering, as well as perform artillery firing in the daytime and at night. In addition, the sailors will conduct training on the release of the captured vessel and the provision of assistance to ships in distress at sea.

On March 18, the military of the three countries will sum up the results of joint work, the Russian Defense Ministry noted.

In turn, the Ministry of Defense of China on its website reported that these exercises "will contribute to the expansion of practical cooperation between the naval forces of the participating countries, once again demonstrate their desire and ability to jointly ensure security at sea, contribute to the active construction of a maritime community with a single future and give a positive impetus to peace and stability in the region."

It is worth noting that Moscow, Tehran and Beijing held similar exercises last year. Maneuvers called CHIRU-2022 were held in the Gulf of Oman from January 18 to 22.

From the Russian side, the varyag missile cruiser, the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the large sea tanker Boris Butoma took part in the training.

"A new coalition is emerging"

Recall that this is the second international naval exercises in the last two months in which the Russian Federation takes part.

In February, exercises of the Navy of Russia, the Republic of South Africa and China were held in the Indian Ocean.

• Opening ceremony of the trilateral Russian-Chinese-South African naval exercise in the port of Richards Bay of South Africa
• © Ministry of Defense of Russia

As observers, they were attended by representatives of the Brazilian Navy, which, along with the Russian Federation, China and South Africa, is a member of the BRICS association.

The military of the three countries then performed joint artillery firing and tactical maneuvering at sea. During the training, the inspection and release of the captured vessel, the provision of assistance to a ship in distress and the repulsion of air attacks by a potential enemy were also practiced.

It is worth noting that in the West these exercises caused sharp criticism. Most of the attacks were directed towards South Africa.

In particular, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham promised the Republic of South Africa problems in connection with participation in the maneuvers, and a number of members of the US House of Representatives called on the administration of President Joe Biden to reassess relations with Pretoria.

A number of EU politicians also expressed concern about the naval exercises of the three countries. Thus, a group of MEPs from Poland, Finland and Estonia proposed to the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell to consider the possibility of suspending the "financing of South Africa" because of the country's position on Russia.

At the moment, the exercises "Maritime Security Belt - 2023" have not caused such a negative reaction in the EU and the United States. According to the military observer of the newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda", retired Colonel Viktor Barants, the West is aware that in the case of Iran and China, they do not have any levers of influence on the policies of these countries.

"The West understands that a new coalition is taking shape and that it will not be possible to break it. This is a new phenomenon on the military-political map of the world, and they are well aware that nothing can be done to divide Russia, China and Iran. Therefore, while there is no reaction, they try to ignore these exercises in terms of information, so as not to advertise them, "the analyst said in a conversation with RT.

"Key region of the world"

According to experts, Russia, China and Iran today are actively developing cooperation with each other.

So, in recent months, Moscow and Tehran have concluded a number of important agreements. Among them is an agreement between the central banks of the two countries on cooperation in the field of facilitation of financial and banking operations.

Russia and Iran also agreed to implement joint projects in the field of power engineering, shipbuilding and aircraft construction. As State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said in January, speaking at the third meeting of the Russian-Iranian inter-parliamentary commission on cooperation, relations between Moscow and Tehran are reaching a new level.

• "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov"
• RIA Novosti
• © Pavel Lvov

Sino-Iranian relations are also developing. In February, the two countries signed 19 agreements and contracts worth $3.5 billion.

In addition, the three countries interact within the framework of international organizations. Experts note that now there are more tools for this kind of interaction, since last year Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and applied to join the BRICS.

As political scientists state, Moscow, Beijing and Tehran are linked by many common interests, including in the defense sector, so the holding of the Maritime Security Belt 2023 exercises by the three countries is a logical step.

"The exercises are held to demonstrate the possibilities of ensuring their security within the framework of the triple alliance, which is now developing at the strategic level between Moscow, Beijing and Tehran," Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, said in a conversation with RT.

He added that such military training also allows Russia, Iran and China to "protect their strategic interests in the most important region (in the Middle East. — RT), where transport communications take place, which are used, among other things, for the transportation of hydrocarbon resources. "

"This is a key region of the world, and here we demonstrate our ability and readiness to protect common interests," the analyst said.

The strategic importance of this region in a conversation with RT was also said by the leading expert of the Center for Military-Political Studies of MGIMO, Doctor of Political Sciences Mikhail Alexandrov. According to him, the protection of oil transportation routes is especially important for China.

"Such exercises are very important, especially for China, because Beijing is transporting oil from this area. With the help of such exercises, he is trying to show the United States and the entire West that he has the power to ensure the transportation of hydrocarbons. As for Iran, it opposes the United States, so with such exercises, Tehran sends a signal that it, together with China and Russia, can resist Washington's coercive pressure, "the analyst said.

Moscow, in turn, is interested in the fact that the United States could not exert pressure on the countries of the Middle East region, Mikhail Alexandrov added.

"It is beneficial for Russia that economic activity in this area is carried out normally and that the United States cannot dictate its will to sovereign states," Mikhail Alexandrov said.

Analysts also drew attention to the fact that China is participating in exercises with Russia, despite the pressure of the West, which is trying to force Beijing to condemn the Russian special operation in Ukraine.

"China has always pursued a policy in its own interests. Now it is in Beijing's interest to ensure that the West does not grow stronger. In addition, China is aware that after the Russian Federation, China itself may become the goal of the United States and the EU. That is why it is beneficial for China to have Russia resist the West. Therefore, Beijing demonstrates such a friendly attitude towards us," Mikhail Alexandrov concluded.