Iranian and Russian naval forces are launching a three-day joint maritime drill in the Caspian Sea on Monday, underscoring deepening military ties and growing naval cooperation between the two countries. The exercise, codenamed "CASAREX2025," is hosted by the Iranian Navy’s Northern Fleet, according to a statement from Iran’s army news website.

The exercise is designed to improve maritime safety and security in the Caspian and enhance coordination between the littoral states’ navies. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces, which operate independently from the regular navy, and the Iranian police are also participating.

Expanding Military Cooperation

This drill comes on the heels of a February joint exercise conducted by the Russian and Iranian navies in the Gulf of Oman and the northwestern Indian Ocean. That drill involved complex training scenarios such as artillery practice on surface targets, nighttime signaling, and anti-sabotage defense in unprotected waters. The Russian Baltic Fleet’s corvette Stoyky and the tanker Kola, along with Iranian vessels including the frigate Jamaran and missile boats Falakhan, Gardouneh, and Tondar, took part.

These exercises were part of a broader pattern of maritime cooperation between Tehran and Moscow aimed at enhancing security along key commercial waterways and combating piracy and maritime terrorism. The drills also serve to exchange operational experience in rescue and crisis scenarios.

A History of Joint Naval Drills

Iran and Russia previously collaborated with China on a trilateral naval exercise in December 2019 in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. That drill, also named "Marine Security Belt," featured patrol operations, simulated threats, and search-and-rescue missions.

These repeated exercises reflect the growing military alignment among Iran, Russia, and China, particularly in the face of rising tensions with Western powers over maritime security, sanctions, and regional influence.