China-Russia-Iran Maritime Drills Send Signal to West

This photo released March 12, 2024, shows an Iranian navy missile corvettte at sea during the "Maritime Security Belt 2024" exercise involving Iran, Russia and China in the Gulf of Oman. (Iran Defense Ministry) FILE - Warships sail in the Gulf of Oman during the second day of joint Iran, Russia and China naval war games on Dec. 28, 2019. Similar drills took place this week. (Iranian army via AP) FILE - Chinese sailors wave on approach to Chahbahar, Iran, on the Gulf of Oman, in this photo provided Dec. 27, 2019. This was from the first joint naval drill with Russia, China and Iran in the gulf. Similar drills took place this week. (Iranian army via AP)

China conducted joint military drills this week with Russia and Iran in the Gulf of Oman, a critical water conduit near the entry to the Persian Gulf.