Iran has now Russian assistance to display military power in Strait of Hormuz if Europe and UK unite against it, following recent tensions in the Gulf Sea.
Iran and Russia are planning joint naval exercises and military drills in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the Commander of the Iranian Navy, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, told Iranian news agency.
According to Khanzadi, the Iranian armed forces had signed a contract for the drills with the Russian Ministry of Defense but did not reveal the actual date of the drills.
This upcoming event will further escalate the Gulf Sea crisis and a continued exacerbation of bilateral ties amid escalating U.S. pressure on both countries, especially Iran.
“A joint Russian-Iranian exercise is expected to be held shortly in the Indian Ocean. The exercise may also be held in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, including in the Strait of Hormuz,” Khanzadi said as reported by Russian news agency, mentioning that the drills would be a benchmark in Tehran-Moscow relations.
Meanwhile, the UK’s newly elected PM Boris Johnson was being pressured to invite Russia and China to join the European fleet that he is seeking to deploy in Strait of Hormuz to protect oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.
It would be a controversial step for the UK, whose relations with Russia are not much friendly as the UK is the closest ally of the USA, a Russia’s old rival since Cold War period whereas the relations with China, that already clutched in a trade war with Washington are not completely sound.
Meanwhile, Iran is disturbed with the British proposal of the naval mission, led by Europe to escort oil tankers in the Gulf Sea, amid escalating tensions after the seizure of British flagged oil vessel Stena Impero and Britain’s HMS Duncan joined the Royal Frigate HMS Montrose already operating in the Gulf to defend the liberation of maneuverability in Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions in the Gulf region, especially in Strait of Hormuz are still escalating, with the high possibility of military engagement between the United States and Iran as Washington has already blamed Tehran for conducting attacks on the shipping business and creating a spat around the Strait of Hormuz.
Relevant: Strategic Importance of Strait of Hormuz – A powder keg between Europe and Gulf
An upcoming joint Iranian-Russian military drills in the Gulf signals that Iran has now Russian assistance to display military power in Strait of Hormuz if Europe and UK plan to unite against Iran, following recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Whereas, The US military has said it is already monitoring the area and developing a “multinational maritime effort” enriched Operation to improve surveillance and security in the Gulf Sea.