Iran and Russia begin joint naval drill in the Indian ocean

Iranian and Russian forces have begun a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean aimed at boosting security of maritime trade in the region, Iran's state TV reported on Tuesday.

Units from Iran's navy and the powerful Revolutionary Guard's navy will take part in the exercise dubbed "Iran-Russia Maritime Security Belt 2021" in the northern Indian Ocean, spanning a stretch of around 17,000 square kilometers (10,600 square miles), state TV said.

According to Iranian Adm. Gholamreza Tahani, the drill spokesman, a Russian destroyer, logistics ship and a helicopter were to participate in the drill.This is the second such joint Russia-Iran exercise since 2019, when the two nations plus China held a four-day exercise.

Tehran has been seeking to step up military cooperation with Beijing and Moscow amid regional tensions with the United States.Visits to Iran by Russian and Chinese naval representatives have also increased in recent years.

In the last few months, Iran has stepped up military drills as the country tries to pressure President Joe Biden over the nuclear accord, which he has said America could reenter.Last Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard conducted a ground exercise near the border with Iraq in which drones, helicopters and military tanks were used.