On Tuesday, China, Iran and Russia conducted a major joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman. The exercise stands out as a significant show of force amid the tense atmosphere in the region. Some of the main factors in holding the exercise were Iran’s rapidly developing nuclear program and threats to ships from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The exercise, called the “Maritime Security Zone 2025,” was held near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical point in terms of energy security, as it is a region through which a significant portion of the global crude oil trade passes.
Strategy Behind the Exercise
The Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of many tensions and conflicts in the past. Iran has occasionally seized merchant ships in the region, and there have been tensions in relations with Western countries. This situation became even more evident after the US unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. This year's exercise is a significant milestone as it is the fifth joint exercise by the three countries. Such exercises aim to increase the integration of military forces in the region and demonstrate the parties' determination to ensure maritime security.
GPS Interference and Military Alerts
Ahead of the exercise, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported GPS interference in the Strait of Hormuz. The interference was reported to be disrupting ships’ navigation systems and forcing crews to resort to alternative methods. It is thought that such interference is being used as a strategy to weaken the targeting capabilities of drones and missiles. The increasing role of electronic warfare and cyberattacks is further complicating military tensions in the region.
The Increasing Role of China and Russia in the Region
The exercise reflects the growing military presence of China and Russia in the Middle East. The Russian Defense Ministry identified the ships participating in the exercise as the corvettes Rezky and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and the tanker Pechenega. China sent the guided missile destroyer Baotou and the supply ship Gaoyouhu. Instead of actively patrolling the region, both countries resort to security measures, usually led by Western nations such as the US Navy’s 5th Fleet based in Bahrain. However, both countries, which have deep ties with Iran, are more likely to engage in military cooperation to protect their regional interests.
Iran's Nuclear Program and the Meaning of the Exercise
Iran announced the drills via state television, and the live-fire drills have drawn public attention. The drills come amid growing regional concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is taking steps toward building nuclear weapons by increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium. However, Iran maintains that the program is for peaceful purposes. The US and Israel have threatened to take various military and diplomatic steps to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The drills highlight Iran’s readiness to defend itself against these threats.
Houthi Threats in Yemen
The threat of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Middle Eastern waterways is another critical element of maritime security in the region. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said that if aid shipments to Israel do not resume, they will launch attacks on Israeli-linked vessels off the coast of Yemen. This threat poses a serious risk to merchant shipping in the region. The Houthis have attacked merchant ships with missiles and drones, sinking some of the ships.
Geopolitical Tension in the Region
The joint exercises carried out by China, Iran and Russia have been an important development reflecting the military tension in the region. These exercises stand out not only as a military show but also as a step that reinforces the geopolitical strategies of regional powers. Iran's nuclear program and the Houthi threat in Yemen further complicate the security environment in the region. This situation may reshape the role of both regional and global powers in the Middle East.
