China, Iran and Russia have conducted joint naval drills in the Middle East. Called the Maritime Security Belt 2025, the exercises took place in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all crude oil traded worldwide passes.

Russian, Chinese and Iranian naval ships are drilling together in the Gulf of Oman as part of an annual exercise. Meanwhile the Russian Pacific Fleet’s flagship, cruiser RFS Varyag (011) and corvette RFS Sovershenny (333) departed Vladivostok on Tuesday for a deployment to the Asia Pacific.

Iranian media said that the Iranian navy had successfully executed the second day of the joint drill. “The three-day naval drills, codenamed the 2025 Maritime Security Belt, kicked off Monday in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman,

China, Russia and representatives from the Iranian government are set to meet in the Chinese capital for discussions on Friday in light of growing tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated on Wednesday that the talks in Beijing would address the "Iranian nuclear issue and topics of mutual interest.