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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, October 11th 2025 at 16:24 GMT by reuters.com
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We must follow links. Let's open.We need to browse.Let's do a search.Let's request fetch.Iran and Russia announced on February 16, 2021 that they had begun a series of joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, a move that underscored the deepening military cooperation between the two rival powers and sent a clear signal to the United States and its allies about the growing partnership of countries that are often at odds with Western policy. The exercises, reported by Reuters, were carried out in the waters off the coast of Yemen, a region that has become a hotspot for piracy, terrorist attacks and the strategic tug‑of‑war among global naval forces.

The drill was led by the Iranian Navy’s destroyer, the Jamshid, and the Russian Navy’s Project 956M Kirov‑class destroyer Admiral Gorshkov. The two warships conducted a series of complex maneuvers that included anti‑surface and anti‑submarine warfare drills, joint torpedo exercises, simulated air defence responses and live‑fire trials of anti‑ship missiles. According to the Iranian naval spokesperson, the exercises aimed to “demonstrate the combat readiness of the naval forces, improve coordination and cooperation between the armed forces of both countries, and enhance the combat capabilities of the two navies.” The Russian side echoed this sentiment, adding that the drills “served to test the operational effectiveness of combined forces in a real‑world scenario.”

The exercises took place in a strategic region that serves as a critical choke point for maritime traffic between the Middle East and Europe. The Strait of Hormuz, just south of the Iranian coast, remains a vital artery for global oil shipments; its proximity to the Indian Ocean means that any escalation there could ripple through international shipping lanes. The decision to hold drills in this area was therefore a calculated signal to the United States, which has maintained a significant naval presence in the region for decades. Washington’s naval forces have routinely conducted freedom‑of‑navigation operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the waters around the Persian Gulf, underscoring its claim to unrestricted passage for all vessels. By conducting joint exercises in the same waters, Iran and Russia were effectively counter‑pointing the US narrative, illustrating that they can project power and defend their interests in a contested space.

Iran’s naval ambitions have been on the rise in the past decade, especially in the wake of U.S. sanctions that have restricted its access to Western‑made weapons. The Iranian navy has diversified its fleet, acquiring submarines, corvettes and missile‑armed vessels, and has been increasingly active in the Gulf of Aden, where it has deployed anti‑piracy patrols and escort missions. Iran has also been building a more sophisticated network of maritime surveillance and electronic warfare systems to extend its reach. The Jamshid, a modern warship built under the “Fateh” program, carries anti‑ship missiles and advanced radar suites, and it has been one of Iran’s flagship vessels in recent years. By pairing the Jamshid with a Russian Kirov‑class destroyer, Iran’s navy gained access to Russia’s advanced missile systems and tactical knowledge that are believed to be among the most potent in the world.

For Russia, the Indian Ocean offers a platform to expand its influence in the post‑Cold‑War era and to counterbalance U.S. dominance in global maritime affairs. Russian naval strategy has historically focused on the Arctic and the Atlantic, but in recent years it has shifted resources to the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, where it has conducted anti‑piracy patrols and joint exercises with Iran. Russian interest in the Indian Ocean also reflects its broader geopolitical objectives, including securing energy routes and fostering closer ties with China, which shares a growing economic partnership with Russia. The Admiral Gorshkov, the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet, is equipped with a range of anti‑ship, anti‑submarine, and anti‑air weapons systems, and its participation in the joint drills gave Russia an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of its naval forces.

The collaboration between Iran and Russia also carries implications for regional security dynamics. The United Nations Security Council has been debating the potential use of force to curb Iranian influence in Yemen, a country that has been embroiled in a civil war since 2015. Iran’s support for the Houthi rebels, who control a significant portion of the country’s territory, has been a key point of contention. By demonstrating naval cooperation, Iran and Russia send a message to the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that they can counter the coalition’s naval presence in the region. This cooperation is especially noteworthy given the historical animosity between the two countries during the Cold War; the current partnership signals a pragmatic alignment of interests that transcends ideological differences.

The exercises were also a showcase of Russia’s military-industrial complex and its capacity to provide high‑quality naval equipment to friendly states. The Kirov‑class destroyers are considered among the world’s most powerful surface combatants, boasting a large array of anti‑aircraft and anti‑surface weaponry. By pairing its destroyer with the Iranian vessel, Russia showcased how it can contribute to the training and development of foreign navies. At the same time, Iran’s participation highlighted its ambition to build a navy that can match the capabilities of regional rivals such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

From an international perspective, the drills were met with cautious commentary from several governments. While the United States and its allies viewed the exercises as a challenge to their naval supremacy, regional actors such as India and China saw the cooperation as an opportunity to re‑balance maritime power in the Indian Ocean. India, in particular, has historically sought to prevent any single power from dominating its maritime trade routes. China, on the other hand, has been steadily increasing its presence in the region, partly through the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of the China–India Maritime Silk Road. By aligning with Iran and Russia, these powers were not only expanding their own strategic footprints but also creating a more multipolar environment in the Indian Ocean that could potentially disrupt the status quo.

In the broader context of Iran–Russia relations, the naval drills came at a time when the two nations were actively negotiating a series of agreements, including a trade partnership and the potential purchase of Russian military hardware by Iran. The naval cooperation was a tangible demonstration of their deepening ties, which have evolved from mutual strategic support against Western pressure to a more integrated military collaboration. The exercises were seen by analysts as a stepping stone toward a more formalized naval partnership that could involve joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and coordinated responses to piracy, terrorism, and potential conflict.

Overall, the 2021 Indian Ocean naval drills marked a significant milestone in the Iran–Russia alliance, demonstrating the operational interoperability of their navies and signaling a shared intent to challenge U.S. naval hegemony in a region that remains a linchpin of global trade and geopolitical influence. The exercise underscored Iran’s naval expansion ambitions and Russia’s strategic push into the Indian Ocean, while also foreshadowing future joint operations that could reshape maritime security in the Middle East and beyond.