Russian and Chinese military vessels have entered the Persian Gulf to participate in joint exercises with the naval forces of the Iranian army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian media reported on Monday.
IRNA published a list of major Iranian warships that will take part in the drills, including the Jamaran, Alvand and Bayander navy destroyers as well as frigates Nizeh, Genaveh, Nayband and Bahregan. The IRGC will send the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, Shahid Rouhi and Shahid Mahmoudi frigates, the Iranian media outlet IRNA reported.
The seventh international naval exercise, Marine Security Belt, which commenced in the Iranian port of Chabahar on Monday, is aimed at ensuring maritime security, countering piracy and terrorism at sea, and protecting maritime communications, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The squadron of Russian Navy ships taking part in the exercise includes the corvette "Rezkiy," the corvette "Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov," and the oil tanker "Pechenga," the ministry pointed out.
"Over several days in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, the crews will practice freeing captured ships, search and rescue operations at sea, as well as firing artillery at sea and air targets," the ministry noted.