Russia and Iran are set to conduct joint navy drills on February 19 in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean as Trump mulls military intervention and US sources warn they are closer than ever to major war in Middle East
Russia and Iran are reportedly gearing up for joint military drills in a matter of hours, as Donald Trump deliberates over potential military action in the region.
The two countries are poised to carry out combined naval exercises tomorrow, February 19, in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, according to Iranian news agency Fars.
Iranian navy commander Hassan Maghsoodloo stated: “Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety… as well as combating maritime terrorism, are among the main goals of this joint exercise.”
The Maritime Security Belt exercises, which involve Iran, Russia, and China, were initiated in 2019 as a means for the trio to band together against geopolitical pressures from the West.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
This Monday saw the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commence exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, amidst looming threats of US military intervention.
Trump has consistently issued warnings of strikes on Iran following the regime’s brutal suppression of thousands of protesters rallying against clerical rule and the regime’s economic management, reports the Express.
Now, sources speaking to Axios suggest that as Russia demonstrates its increasingly robust ties with Iran, the US is edging closer than ever to a significant conflict in the Middle East.
They suggested that military intervention would likely involve Israel and represent the most significant US involvement in the region in at least a decade.
Whilst the US would probably aim to confine its strikes within Iran, as occurred last summer, it remains uncertain whether Tehran’s allies, including Russia, would step in should the regime retaliate. Such a move could ignite a fresh conflict.
Washington and Tehran have been locked in negotiations, with the most recent talks involving Trump’s advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The trio spent three hours in discussion in Geneva on Tuesday, and whilst both parties claimed they “made progress”, US officials hinted that Iran was unwilling to compromise on crucial points.
Vice President JD Vance informed Fox News that the discussions “went well” in certain respects, but added: “In other ways it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”
He stated that the US president is keen to strike a deal, but diplomacy may have “reached its natural end”.
