Russian ambassador to Tehran Levan Gagaryan, announced that Russia, Iran, and China will hold joint maritime exercises in the Gulf around late 2021 or early 2022, adding that the drills will be focused on shipping security and combating piracy.

“Marine Security Belt drills - also known as CHIRU- will involve naval vessels from Iran, Russia, China, and other nations, and will be focused on shipping security and combating piracy, Gagaryan said," he told the Russian news agency, RIA Novosti.

"Russia does not exaggerate or tell lies about issues related to accidents on some ships in the Gulf of Oman," he added.

Furthermore, Gagaryan stated that his country "pays attention to cementing ties between Iran and some Arab countries bordering the Gulf," adding "Russia understands that Iran and Arab countries do not seek to provoke tension."

Regarding the Russian-Iranian military alliance, Gagaryan said that "following the end of UN arms embargo on Iran, the two countries are now holding talks on buying and selling military equipment."

“The military, technical and economic cooperation between Iran and Russia dates back more than 50 years, and it is witnessing growth based on mutual interests," the Russian ambassador stressed.

The treaty, officially known as "Treaty on the basis for mutual relations and the principles of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation," was inked on March 22, 2001, for 10 years. In July 2021, the Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that the text of a 20-year agreement with Russia has been completed, covering political, security, military, and defense.