Russia and Iran announced joint naval exercises amid a looming US strike

ArmInfo. Russia and Iran will conduct joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean amid US preparations for a strike on Tehran. The maneuvers will begin on February 19, according to Iranian Navy Admiral Hassan Maqsoodloo. "The goal is to strengthen maritime security and deepen relations between the two countries' navies," the Iranian Navy spokesman said, without specifying when the exercises are expected to conclude.

Previously, Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev announced that Russia, Iran, and China had sent warships to the Strait of Hormuz for the joint Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercises. These are the eighth such exercises, which have been held since 2019 at the initiative of the Iranian Navy. During the exercises, Tehran announced a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping artery for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies to global markets. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense published a video showing the Russian corvette Stoikiy arriving in the port city of Bandar Abbas, where the Iranian Navy is based. The ministry noted that Russian and Iranian naval personnel "synchronized their actions to ensure the safety of civilian shipping."

Meanwhile, the United States, which has amassed an "armada" of warships off the coast of Iran, is preparing for a military operation against Tehran. According to CBS News sources, it could begin as early as Saturday, February 21, but President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision. A White House adviser told Axios that the operation would be a campaign "more akin to a full-scale war" than targeted strikes. CNN sources previously said that American forces could target Iranian leaders, government institutions, nuclear facilities, and ballistic missile production in the country.

Meanwhile, the White House continues to discuss a possible strike on Iran, weighing the risks of escalation and the "political and military consequences of restraint," CBS sources noted. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, for her part, emphasized that Tehran "would be wise to strike a deal with President Trump and his administration" to avoid an attack.

The latest round of talks between Tehran and Washington regarding the Iranian nuclear program took place on February 17 in Oman. According to Reuters, the US urged Tehran to submit detailed proposals for resolving differences within two weeks. Earlier, in June 2025, a similar ultimatum led to the launch of Operation Midnight Hammer—a series of strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. (The Moscow Times)