The joint military exercise "Marine Security Belt 2024" has started in recent hours, involving maritime units of the navies of China, Russia and Iran. The aim of the training, which takes place in the Gulf of Oman, in the Arabian Sea, is to "jointly maintain regional maritime security" in a context of growing tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, with repeated attacks by Yemeni Houthis against ships in the Red Sea.

In detail, Beijing sent the missile destroyer "Urumqi", the missile frigate "Linyi" and the supply ship "Dongpinghu". For its part, Moscow has mobilized the missile cruiser "Varyag", the frigate "Marshal Shaposhnikov" and the destroyer "Shaposhnikov". Overall, more than 20 military maritime units are involved in the joint exercise.

The exercise's spokesperson, Iranian Admiral Mostafa Tajaddini, said the exercise would take place in an area of 17,000 square kilometers. This is the fourth joint mission carried out from 2019 to date by China, Russia and Iran. A previous operation was held in March 2023. Naval representatives of Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa are present as observers at "Marine Security Belt 2024".