Tehran – The Iranian Navy has launched its seventh iteration of its “combining the maritime security belt” movement in the North Indian Ocean, alongside navys from Russia and China. Designed to strengthen maritime security and promote naval cooperation, 12 countries, including nine observer countries, are involved in the exercise.
Admiral Mustafata Hardini, deputy operation commander of the Iranian Navy and a spokesman for the drill, underscored the core goals of the exercise during an interview with the Tehran Times. “The main goal of this exercise is to strengthen maritime security in the North Indian Ocean and increase naval interactions between the Iranian, Chinese and Russian navy,” he said. “It is intended to encourage cooperation, skills training and sharing experiences.”
The polymorphic movement began on Monday as Iran received guests and participants on the south shore. “We are currently receiving our visiting ships and conducting comprehensive briefings and specialized sessions,” Admiral Tahardini told the Tehran Times. The second phase, scheduled for Tuesday, will include 20 scenarios designed to improve coordination and response capabilities, including hijacked vessels, search and rescue training, fire campaigns and helibone operations. The Navy parade concludes the maritime stage. The final segment focuses on debriefing.
More than just a few countries
The potential impact of the exercise exceeds immediate participating countries. It also affects the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and the maritime security of the wider regions, according to Admiral Tahardini. “World trade relies on the golden triangles and straits of Malacca, Hormuz and Babel Mandev,” he pointed out. “Preservation and strengthening collective security is our motto and we have been invited to all countries in the SCO member states and regions to announce that their presence could lead to strengthening collective security.”
This year’s exercise features nine countries as observers in Qatar, Iraq, South Africa, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, boasting an impressive display of international collaborations. Admiral Tahardini said he is considering the possibility that these observer nations will take part in future exercises, saying, “We are considering that potentially interested countries participating in the drill will evaluate them to send observers. In the future they may decide to send their own ships and play a more active role.”
Military officials added that the vast ocean spread requires like-minded countries to form a coalition to combat the tragedy of copyright infringement and maritime terrorism. “We are implementing this coalition to protect the interests of like-minded and interested countries with Iran in the North Indian Ocean.”
Iran presents naval capabilities combined with the maritime security belt movement with the participation of several vessels. Leading the way is Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, a stealth warship (February 2024 to be precise) that is fresh from the shipyard. This high-speed catamaran is not just about shows. It is equipped with the latest missile technology. And alongside this sophisticated new ship is the Iranian Navy’s trusted Jamaran destroyer. The ship sees its actions, patrols the sea lanes and chases the pirates. This is a combination of the new technology that Iran has brought with its veteran experience.