Russia, China, and Iran have deployed naval vessels for joint exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a Russian presidential aide said on Tuesday.
In an interview with Argumenty i Fakty, Nikolay Patrushev described the exercises as part of Russia’s efforts to build a “multipolar world order on the oceans” in response to Western dominance. He added that BRICS nations should now include a “full-fledged strategic maritime dimension.”
The drills, named “Maritime Security Belt 2026,” follow the first BRICS naval exercise, “Will for Peace 2026,” held in January in the South Atlantic, which involved Russia, China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. Participating navies practiced coordination to safeguard trade routes, which Patrushev said are increasingly vulnerable.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. The exercises, hosted by Iran, are part of a series first launched in 2019 and have been conducted seven times since.
Patrushev described the joint drills as “relevant” for ensuring security in critical maritime corridors and strengthening cooperation among participating nations.