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Iran and Russia are set to launch joint naval manoeuvres in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, signalling a deepening military alliance between the two nations.
Rear Admiral Hassan Maghsoudloo, a spokesman for the drills, stated that the exercise is designed to strengthen maritime security and foster closer cooperation between the respective navies.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of a separate show of force by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who recently initiated military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a direct challenge to the significant U.S. naval presence in the region.
The timing of these war games is particularly sensitive, as they occur alongside a second round of Oman-mediated negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
While Iranian officials have expressed a surprisingly upbeat tone regarding these diplomatic talks, the regional atmosphere remains volatile.
Diplomacy between the two adversaries has been fragile since the collapse of previous negotiations following a major Israeli strike on Iran in June 2025—an event that triggered a 12-day conflict and briefly involved direct U.S. military participation.
As a counterpoint to the diplomatic efforts in Geneva, the United States has maintained what President Donald Trump has termed a naval “armada” in the area.
In a bold assertion of control over local waters, Iran recently announced a partial, temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz for “security reasons” during its independence drills.
Although the strait is a vital artery for global energy supplies and has been the subject of frequent Iranian threats in the past, it has never been fully blocked, making this partial closure a notable escalation of regional pressure.
The joint drills with Russia underscore a strategic pivot as Iran seeks to balance U.S.-led maritime dominance with international partnerships.
With the Strait of Hormuz serving as a critical passage for the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, any military activity in these waters draws immediate global attention.
As the manoeuvres begin, observers are watching closely to see if this display of military strength is intended to provide Tehran with greater leverage at the negotiating table or if it signals a hardening stance against Western influence in the Middle East.
