Iran and Russia are set to carry out joint naval drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, marking a significant show of military cooperation amid renewed US-Iran diplomatic engagement.

According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, the joint naval exercise between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Russian forces will begin on Thursday. Rear Admiral Hassan Maghsoudloo, spokesperson for the drill, said the primary objective is to strengthen maritime security and deepen naval relations between the two countries. However, details about the duration and scale of the exercise were not disclosed.

The announcement comes shortly after fresh negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, mediated by Oman. The talks follow months of heightened geopolitical tension in the Gulf region.

Earlier this week, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also launched military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The move was widely seen as a signal to US naval forces stationed nearby.

The drills take place against the backdrop of increased US military presence ordered by Donald Trump, who described the American naval deployment in the region as an “armada.” Tensions escalated further after a major Israeli strike on Iran in June 2025, which triggered a brief 12-day conflict involving the United States.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. While Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to block the passage during disputes with Washington, the waterway has never been fully closed.

Analysts say the Iran-Russia naval drills signal a deepening strategic partnership and underscore ongoing security concerns in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.