Middle East Monitor Report

Iran is set to hold joint naval exercises with China and Russia in the northern Indian Ocean in mid-February, as reported by Iranian media. These drills, known as the “Maritime Security Belt,” will involve units from Iran’s regular navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps alongside naval forces from the other two nations. Launched in 2019, this will be the eighth edition of the exercises amid heightened tensions with the US, which Iran warns could provoke a swift response if attacked. Iranian officials remain open to negotiations under what they consider fair terms.