Iran, Russia, China Serious about Security in Golden Triangle

“Establishing full security of shipping lines in this region, particularly in the area between the three straits of Hormuz, Malacca and Bab al-Mandeb, known as the Golden Triangle, guarantees the economic interests of all on the world stage,” Rear Admiral Tahani, said at a briefing on Iran’s joint naval drill with Russia and China currently underway in the Northern part of the Indian Ocean. The briefing was attended by commanders of Russian and Chinese units participating in the drill.

He added that “common maritime threats” and a need for coordinated measures by the three governments have made Iran-Russia-China maritime cooperation all the more necessary.

 “The common nature of maritime threats and political developments between the governments for taking coordinated measures have led to closer cooperation between the naval forces of these three countries,” the deputy commander said.

He went on to stress that “many countries have active shipping lines in the vicinity of Oman Sea and the Indian Ocean, which are considered key areas of world trade, and therefore, it is critical to maintain maritime security in this region.”

He further said that the joint naval drill between Iran, Russia and China, codenamed “Marine Security Belt,” is especially aimed at raising combat readiness, achieving collective security and exchanging experience in the field of combatting terrorism and piracy.

Iran, Russia and China have begun “Marine Security Belt,” as the event is codenamed, on Friday morning in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman area.

The event is the first such cooperation with Iran since the 1979 victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

It comes amid US efforts to woo countries into a maritime coalition for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which have received lukewarm welcome from its allies.

On Wednesday, Spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said the event was meant to promote the security of international trade in the strategic regions, adding that sharing experience in maritime rescue operations was also to be pursued in the maneuvers.

He said that Iran has proved that it always tries to maintain peace in the international waterways, especially this important area.

On Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Wu Qian announced that Beijing’s Xining guided-missile destroyer would take part in the drills. Three Russian vessels are also taking part in the drills, according to reports.

Also on Thursday, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi underlined that high deterrence power of the country’s Armed Forces has discouraged enemies at military aggression.

The enemy never dares to attack Iran thanks to combat readiness of the Iranian forces at sea and on the ground, Rear Admiral Khanzadi said, addressing a meeting in the Northeastern city of Mashhad.

The Americans are well-known as aggressors with records of aggression on several states and they have killed 800,000 native people in their civil war, he added.

Rear Admiral Khanzadi said that the United States is the only country in the world which has used nuclear weapon, encouraged the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to invade Iran, created ISIL terrorist group to cause bloodbath and never hesitates to ignite conflict across the world.

During eight years of sacred defense with Iraq, many countries backed Saddam Hussein, but, in the end it was Iran that won the battle and that the role of the Iranian Navy was very significant, the commander said.

He said that the enemy is now exerting economic pressure to break the people’s unity, but to no avail.

On Sunday, Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi highlighted that the joint military drills of his country’s navy with Chinese and Russian forces is a manifestation of Tehran’s successful diplomacy for promoting regional security.

“This drill demonstrates the determination of countries that are seeking security in the region against those countries that are after creating insecurity,” he said, adding that enemies should take lessons from the drill’s messages.