Iran conducts military exercises with Russia, escalating situation overshadows G7 summit

Russian Navy's corvette Mercuriy 734 participates in IMEX 2024 exercise

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Press TV reported that the military exercise between Iran, Russia and Oman, with 9 other countries sending observers, just started today, October 19, in the Indian Ocean.

The IMEX 2024 exercise aims to strengthen "common security in the region, expand multilateral cooperation and demonstrate goodwill and capacity to protect peace , friendship and maritime security".

Participants will practice tactics to ensure the security of international maritime trade, protect shipping lanes, enhance humanitarian measures and exchange information on rescue and relief operations, according to the news release.

The exercise comes amid heightened tensions in the region as Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on and Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen retaliate by attacking ships in the Red Sea.

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In response to regional tensions with the United States, Iran has increased military cooperation with Russia and China. In March, Iran, China and Russia held their fifth joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman, according to Reuters.

Countries observing the current exercise include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand.

In another exercise, TASS news agency on October 19 quoted Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov as saying that Russia and Indonesia will hold their first joint naval exercise next month.

The diplomat said three Russian frigates would take part in the exercises, which were expected to be "watched by friends and foes alike".

On October 19, G7 defense ministers opened a conference in Naples (Italy), in the context of escalating situations in the Middle East and Ukraine under increasing pressure as it faces another winter of war.

The G7 comprises the UK, Canada, Germany, the US, Japan, France and Italy. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency and hosted the first G7 ministerial meeting focused solely on defence, at an event attended by new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"I believe that our presence today... will send a strong message to those who try to obstruct our democratic system," Italian Defense Minister Guido Corosetto said at the opening of the event.

Minister Crosetto said on October 18 that he had proposed holding the summit, given the many conflicts facing the international community. He said there would be plenty of room to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East during the one-day summit.

Also on the agenda are the war in Ukraine, development and security in Africa and the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/iran-tap-tran-voi-nga-tinh-hinh-leo-thang-phu-bong-hoi-nghi-thuong-dinh-g7-185241019163019605.htm