Historic Iran-China naval exercise

Two Chinese warships docked at Iran's Bandar Abbar naval port on September 21, preparing to conduct a four-day joint exercise in the Persian Gulf.

Chinese naval ship (Internet photo)

Xinhua News Agency reported that two warships - including the guided-missile destroyer Changchun - visited an Iranian port for a "friendly visit" while they were on patrol to protect cargo ships and fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. This is the first time a Chinese warship has docked in an Islamic republic in the Gulf since Bahrain, where the US Navy's 5th Fleet is based...

The joint exercise, which began on September 22, focuses on rescue work.

Iranian Navy Admiral Amir Hossein Azad told the semi-official FARS news agency that the goal of the exercise is to focus on ensuring maritime safety and fighting piracy, and also to help Iran be technically ready to participate in rescue operations and resolve confrontations at sea.

The Iranian navy has increased its international presence in recent years, notably helping merchant ships fight pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden.

Iranian warships also docked at Zhangjiagang port (China) after a 40-day journey of 13,000 km to convey a message of love for peace and friendship to East Asian countries.

At that time, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari of the Iranian Navy said their presence in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea was to patrol the strategic Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia, passing through the Equator before docking in China. He said there were 370 surface warships and submarines performing this patrol and protection mission.

The Chinese warship's visit to Iran comes days after Iran's 21st fleet stopped eight pirate speedboats armed with small arms and semi-heavy weapons from attacking the Chinese cargo ship Xin Lian Yun Gang in the Gulf of Aden, according to FARS. The ship was en route from Singapore to Saudi Arabia and continued its journey after escaping the pirates.

The 31st Fleet includes the destroyer Bayandor and the logistics ship Bandar Abbas. According to FARS statistics, Iranian naval vessels have escorted 670 military and cargo ships since the attack.

In 2008, there was an attack by Somali pirates on an Iranian cargo ship off the coast of Yemen.

According to the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, countries can send warships into the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to fight pirates after notifying the Somali government.

The Gulf of Aden, which connects the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, is an important energy corridor, as Persian Gulf crude oil is transported to the West via the Suez Canal.

The visit to Bandar Abbas port is an example of the growing relationship between Iran and China. Vice Admiral Huang Xinjian said the visit aims to deepen mutual understanding and enhance exchanges between the two navies.

China is now the main buyer of Iranian crude oil, and Iran uses this revenue to buy Chinese goods, which is its largest trading partner, expected to reach $45 billion this year, despite Iran being under financial sanctions over its controversial nuclear program.

China is part of the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, France, UK and Germany) negotiating with Iran, hoping to end more than 10 years of crisis over its nuclear program.

One World Source