21st of January- Iran, China, and Russia conducted their third combined naval maneuvers in the northern Indian Ocean on Friday, according to official television. Iran's military forces and Revolutionary Guards are participating in the '2022 Marine Security Belt' exercise, which spans 17,000 square kilometers, according to the drills' spokesperson, Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajoldini. Among the tactical exercises will include rescuing a burning vessel, freeing a hijacked vessel, and shooting at air targets at night.

The drills, he added, start in the mid hours of Friday morning. Tajoldini indicated that in 2019, the three countries would begin joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman. 'The purpose of this exercise is to reaffirm security and its foundations in the area, as well as to enhance joint efforts among the three states to cooperatively achieve peace in the world, intelligence sharing, and the formation of a maritime society with a common future.'

Iran's hardline President Ebrahim Raisi has adopted a 'look east' policy to strengthen ties with China and Russia since taking office last June. In September, Tehran entered the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a central Asian security organization overseen by Beijing and Moscow. Hossein Amirabdollahian, Iran's Foreign Minister, visited China last week, and Iran's President met with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Thursday.