The Enemy of the U.S.: Joint Military Exercises by China, Russia, and Iran in the Persian Gulf

China Claims Anti-Piracy and Terrorism Defense Drill Aims to Foster Trilateral Friendship and Maintain Maritime Security
US Media Criticized 2019 Inaugural Drill as Anti-Democratic Exercise Under Dictatorial Rule

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China, Russia, and Iran are conducting joint naval military exercises in the Persian Gulf.

Photo by Global Times capture

According to the state-run Global Times, citing the Russian Pacific Fleet, the navies of China, Russia, and Iran will carry out joint naval exercises, reported on the 20th. This joint exercise is the first in three years since 2019.

The Global Times evaluated that this joint naval exercise demonstrates the friendly relations among the three countries and shows China's determination to maintain world peace and maritime security.

Warships belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet recently docked in Iran, and Chinese warships are also reported to be en route. The trilateral joint exercise is said to be conducted in the Persian Gulf.

The Global Times stated that most of the international trade between China and Russia is conducted via sea, and Iran's main export, oil, also depends on the shipping industry, emphasizing the importance of safety in international maritime transportation. It further stressed that the trilateral joint naval exercise is aimed at preventing piracy and terrorism.

However, since China, Russia, and Iran all face conflicts with the United States and other Western countries, this exercise is interpreted as a joint drill targeting the US.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, said, "Some countries continue to violate international law at sea and cause problems," adding, "China must strengthen cooperation with various countries in the field of maritime security going forward."

The navies of China, Russia, and Iran also conducted joint exercises near the Strait of Oman in 2019. The Global Times reported that at the time, US media criticized the three countries, the US's greatest adversaries, for conducting joint naval exercises. They also disparaged the exercises as an anti-democracy move by the dictatorial politicians of Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran.

Chinese media added that Iran, whose main source of income is oil, is suffering economic difficulties due to US sanctions, and recently lost its UN voting rights due to unpaid dues amounting to 18 million dollars.