The Iranian and Russian navies are about to conduct joint exercises

“Joint naval exercises of Iran and Russia will take place on February 19 in the Sea of ​​​​Oman and the northern Indian Ocean,” the news agency said. ISNA today quoted Iranian Rear Admiral Hassan Maghsoudloo.

Mr. Maghsoudloo said this military operation was intended to enhance maritime security and deepen relations between the two countries’ navies, but did not specify how long it would last.

On February 16, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards also conducted exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen as sending a message of challenge to US forces in the region. US President Donald Trump previously deployed a naval force he described as a “mighty fleet” near Iran to increase pressure on the country.

The military exercises took place in the context of the second round of negotiations brokered by Oman between Tehran and Washington taking place in Geneva, Switzerland on February 17. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the two sides had reached a “set of guiding principles” to negotiate and draft an agreement with the US.

Previous negotiations between the two sides broke down after Israel’s unprecedented airstrike on Iran in June 2025, sparking a 12-day war in which the US also participated in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced on February 18 that Washington would prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons “at all costs”. Mr. Wright emphasized that President Trump firmly believes that “we cannot let Iran possess nuclear weapons.”