On March 15, the Maritime Security Belt 2023 naval exercise began in the Gulf of Oman with the participation of Russia, Iran and China. This area is traditionally included in the area of American interests, since the maritime routes for the transport of oil cross the bay and were previously patrolled exclusively by American warships.
The appearance of Chinese and Russian frigates in the Gulf of Oman aims to demonstrate to Washington that the allies are ready to independently control important maritime routes. So says Rear Admiral of the Russian Navy in reserve and military historian Yuri Kirillov.
The US Navy’s 5th Task Group Fleet has always had a presence in the Gulf of Oman. Our warships have also been in service there since the Cold War. Since the northern coast of the Gulf of Oman belongs to Iran, Iranian ships also monitor their coasts and can conduct naval exercises there, where they have the right to invite allies such as Russia and China. And if before the Americans saw only Chinese merchant ships in the Gulf, now they will also have to get used to warships. China thus clearly demonstrates to the US Navy that it has become a maritime power and that it is capable, together with Russia and Iran, of controlling and protecting the trade routes of the Gulf of Oman.
- the words of the rear admiral are published by the telegram channel “Look to the East”.
The Maritime Security Belt 2023 exercise started last Monday and is now in its active phase. Military sailors from the three countries practice forming an interethnic squadron of warships and perform joint maneuvers with artillery fire. On the Russian side, the Admiral Gorshkov frigate with Zircon hypersonic missiles on board is taking part in the maneuvers.
