Russia, Iran, and China Will Conduct Joint Military Exercises This Year

China, Russia, and Iran will conduct joint military exercises at the end of this year, a Russian diplomat announced Monday.

Levan Jagaryan, Russia’s ambassador to Iran, told Russian state media that Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran will begin naval demonstrations in the Persian Gulf at the end of this year and beginning of 2022. Jagaryan said the exercises will allow the three countries to combat international piracy.

“Russia has developed its own concept of creating a collective security system in the Persian Gulf zone,” Jagaryan said. “Tehran also has its own concept. … Their common goal is to ensure lasting peace and stability in the area, which, of course, also implies the unimpeded passage of commercial ships through it in accordance with the norms of international maritime law.”

Iran, however, frequently disrupts international trade on the high seas. Just this month, an Iranian drone struck an Israeli-operated shipping vessel, killing two. The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Pentagon walked back a top defense official’s claim that Iranian militants launched the drone from Yemen.

The planned exercises show growing military ties between the three countries, all of which pose major threats to the United States. Russia and China held a separate set of war games this month.

Jagaryan also confirmed in the interview that Russia wants a renewed Iran nuclear deal, the details of which are being hashed out in Vienna.

“The new Iranian government signals its readiness to continue to participate in the Vienna negotiation process,” Jagaryan said. “The negotiation team is now being formed. We hope that the negotiation process will be resumed soon and the parties will be able to reach agreements. The Russian side … is doing everything possible for this.”

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