ISLAMABAD: Iran and Russia are set to launch joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, deepening a military partnership between two nations facing sweeping Western pressure.

Russia's helicopter carrier Stoikiy docked at Iran's First Naval Region in Bandar Abbas on Wednesday ahead of the exercise, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported. The drill will deploy surface and air units from both navies across the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.

Iranian Captain Hassan Maghsoodloo said the exercise is aimed at countering threats to commercial shipping and maritime terrorism, and at strengthening the role of regional states in establishing maritime security.

Russian Navy Force Commander Captain Alexey Sergeev, speaking from Bandar Abbas, said the level of cooperation between Moscow and Tehran demonstrates that the two nations can resolve maritime challenges "with unity and amity."

Iran's Bandar Abbas base, situated at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, serves as Tehran's primary naval hub and one of the most strategically sensitive waterways in the world, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies pass.

The drills come as both countries have sought to expand bilateral military and economic ties amid sustained pressure from Washington and its allies. Russia has faced cascading sanctions since its 2022 war with Ukraine, while Iran has operated under broad US and international restrictions for decades.

Iran is simultaneously grappling with a domestic economic crisis marked by roughly 45% inflation and a record-low rial, as well as the aftermath of nationwide protests. The country also faces heightened external pressure following the 2025 strikes on its nuclear facilities attributed to US and Israeli forces.

Those pressures have brought Tehran to the negotiating table in Geneva, where Iranian officials are seeking sanctions relief. The US and Iran recently concluded a second round of indirect talks, with both sides reporting "good progress" and agreeing on a set of guiding principles for a potential framework addressing nuclear concerns and regional stability.

Significant obstacles remain, however. Iran is demanding sanctions relief and the right to continue civilian uranium enrichment, while Washington is pushing for broader restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program.

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Iran, Russia to launch joint naval drills in Persian Gulf amid Western pressure