Al Jazeera Network considered the joint exercise between Iran, Russia, and China in Chabahar Port to carry clear military and political messages, especially in light of America's efforts to increase pressure on Tehran.
According to Ashura News, citing Mehr News Agency, Al Jazeera Network examined the messages of the joint naval exercise between Iran, Russia and China in the port of Chabahar, titled the Maritime Security Belt.
The report states that the messages of this event are not limited to its military dimension; they also overlap with political and economic contexts, which reflect the priorities of the countries participating in this exercise in light of the intensification of Western pressure on these powers and the efforts of the aforementioned countries to strengthen their defense partnerships in the face of increasing challenges.
These exercises are taking place at the same time as the critical phase of increasing tensions between Iran and the United States; the United States is seeking to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program and missile capabilities, and in addition, has imposed new economic sanctions against the country.
According to Al Jazeera, US President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military action against Iran if it refuses to negotiate add other dimensions to the joint maneuvers between Iran, Russia and China that go beyond traditional military dimensions and clear political messages.
The location chosen for the maneuver also carries special messages in the strategic dimension. The maneuver will take place in Iran’s Chabahar port, which overlooks the Indian Ocean and is not only a naval base but also a focal point in regional economic projects, making it a central area for international trade routes and Iran’s logistical goals.
Given these considerations, the question arises as to whether the choice of Chabahar for such a maneuver reflects Iran’s increasing maritime influence or whether it carries broader messages that go beyond regional borders and encompass the global balance of power?
Given the current international situation, this development is important for political and military circles; Because the aforementioned maneuver is taking place at the same time as Russia’s international isolation increases as a result of its war in Ukraine and the intense competition between China and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.
All of these factors place the trilateral naval exercise between Iran, China, and Russia in a broader context than military cooperation, and it means an event with multiple dimensions at the regional and international levels.
In this context, Hossein Kanani Moghadam, an Iranian political activist, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera: These maneuvers in Chabahar are in the context of responding to Trump’s threats against Iran, and Trump should know that Iran is not alone and that allied countries such as Russia and China are present alongside it.
He added: Based on long-term agreements between Iran and China (25-year agreements) and between Iran and Russia (20-year agreements), which include some military, security, and intelligence cooperation, as well as trilateral maneuvers between these countries, such maneuvers are held at certain periods.
Kanani Moghadam added: The message of these maneuvers is clear, that Asian countries such as Iran and China, alongside Russia, are powerful and willing to cooperate to ensure their regional and international security.
On the other hand, "Arif Dehghandar", an expert on international security affairs, also announced in an interview with Al Jazeera in this context that the choice of Chabahar Port for holding the joint maneuver of Iran, China and Russia is due to the geostrategic importance of this region. Chabahar, as the only Iranian port overlooking the ocean, provides direct access to open waters and is strategically located near the Indian Ocean, making it a pivotal point in controlling maritime trade routes and a vital gateway to enter Central Asian markets.
Dehghandar added: Chabahar Port is also part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and is of particular importance to Russia, which is seeking to expand its presence in warm waters. The presence of these three powers in Chabahar could be a message to Washington and the Trump administration, as well as to India, which is considered a strategic partner of the United States in the Indian subcontinent.
Regarding the timing of the seventh joint exercise of the Maritime Security Belt 2025 between Iran, Russia and China, he said: This timing is of great importance, because these exercises are being carried out in light of the increasing threats from the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran with the aim of limiting the country's nuclear program.
The Iranian expert noted: Within the framework of the "carrot and stick" policy that Trump has adopted in the region and has made the scene more complicated, such exercises are a sign of Tehran's readiness to confront any possible threat. Of course, these exercises should not be considered a sign of forming an Eastern coalition against the West, because Russia and China, as two global powers, have their own strategies and interests, and their behavior is analyzed within the framework of competition between great powers.
Dehghandar emphasized: "Iran, as a regional power, has its own role in international equations and relies on its own capabilities in the military field. Therefore, holding such maneuvers demonstrates a model of pragmatic cooperation between Iran, Russia, and China based on their common interests."
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