Iran, Russia launch joint naval drills amid Middle East tensions

Middle East 18-02-2026 | 16:14

Iran, Russia launch joint naval drills amid Middle East tensions

Iran ramps up naval activity alongside Russia while U.S. warships patrol the Gulf during sensitive nuclear talks. 
Iran, Russia launch joint naval drills amid Middle East tensions
Iranian boat. (Archive)
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Iran will conduct joint maneuvers with Russia in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported Wednesday, citing a military spokesperson, following a negotiation session between the Islamic Republic and the United States.

 

Spokesperson Hassan Maqsoudlou stated that the "joint naval maneuvers" will take place in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, and "aim to enhance maritime security in the region and strengthen relations between the naval forces of the two countries." The duration of these maneuvers was not specified.

 

Iran had announced maneuvers starting Monday under the supervision of the Revolutionary Guards in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

A mural of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the late Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini. (AFP)
A mural of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the late Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini. (AFP)

Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened—especially during periods of heightened tension between Tehran and Washington—to close the strait, which is considered a crucial passage for global oil and gas transport.

 

Iranian television reported that the strait was closed for a few hours on Tuesday for "security" reasons during the military maneuvers.

 

The United States has deployed a large naval force in the Gulf waters, as part of its threat to intervene militarily in Iran if the two countries do not reach an agreement during ongoing talks.

 

Negotiations resumed at the beginning of February under the auspices of Oman, being the first since the June war launched by Israel on Iran, during which Washington participated by bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. Tehran responded by bombing Israel and American military bases in the region.

 

Iran asserts that the negotiations are limited to the nuclear issue, while Washington wants to include Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the Middle East, particularly Hezbollah.

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