Iran will host naval exercises with China and Russia in late February, highlighting regional tensions and military cooperation.
The commander of the Iranian regular navy (Nedaja), Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, announced that Iran will once again host the navies of China and Russia as part of the 2026 Maritime Security Belt Exercise to be held in the Northern Indian Ocean at the end of February. While there has been no official confirmation from China and Russia yet, it is assessed that Iranian officials are eager to secure participation in this annual exercise to visibly demonstrate the support of their allies amid increasing regional tensions.
It is anticipated that the Chinese elements expected to participate in the exercise will be selected from the 48th Fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) based in Djibouti. This fleet includes the Type 052DL guided missile destroyer Tangshan, the Type 054A guided missile frigate Daqing, and the Type 903A supply ship Taihu.
On the Russian side, it is likely that the Udaloy-class frigate RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov, which participated in the DIMDEX 2026 defense fair held at Hamad Port in Qatar on January 19-20, will take part in the exercise. The logistical support for the ship is provided by the Boris Chilikin-class tanker Boris Butoma. Additionally, it is noted that after the Will for Peace 2026 exercise conducted off the coast of Cape Town, the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoykiy, which is in the region, could also join the Russian contingent or replace these ships.
Rear Admiral Irani announced that Iran's 103rd Fleet, which has just returned from the Will for Peace 2026 exercise, will conduct a new exercise with an unnamed partner country before returning to Bandar Abbas. The 103rd Fleet consists of the Bayandor-class corvette IRINS Naghdi and the forward base ship IRINS Makran. The fleet is supported by the converted tanker IRIS Shahid Mahdavi belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy.
Due to the presence of Nedaja elements in their operational areas, it is assessed that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGCN) bears the primary responsibility in potential contacts with the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) warned the IRGCN on January 30 to avoid actions such as harassment flights against U.S. warships, aiming weapons, or entering a collision course, under the pretext of the naval exercise starting on January 31.
The U.S. naval force in the region consists of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Spruance, USS Michael Murphy, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. Logistical support is provided by USNS Carl Brashear. Additionally, Bahrain-based USS Mitscher and USS McFaul, along with Independence-class coastal combat ships USS Tulsa, USS Canberra, and USS Santa Barbara optimized for mine countermeasure missions, and the tanker USNS Henry J. Kaiser are also in operation. Finally, it is noted that USS Delbert D. Black has also joined the force and is located in the northern Red Sea.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy announced through Tasnim on January 31 that Commodore Alireza Tangsiri, the naval commander, was not killed in the explosion that occurred in a residential apartment in Bandar Abbas, the cause of which has not been officially disclosed. While the statement implied that the incident could be due to a gas explosion, local sources claimed that there is no natural gas pipeline in the area.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
