Gulf of Oman on the line of risk: Iran and Russia have started exercises, China will join by the end of February

On February 18, 2026, the naval forces of Iran and Russia launched a series of joint maneuvers in the Gulf of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean. Formally, it is about “the safety of civilian shipping.” In fact, it is about demonstrating military presence in an area where the interests of the US, China, and regional players in the Middle East converge.

Simultaneously, negotiations between Tehran and Washington are ongoing, and one of the largest American groups in recent years is concentrated in the region. The geography of the exercises — the area of the Strait of Hormuz — is traditionally considered one of the key nodes of global energy logistics.

Russian-Iranian coordination near Hormuz

What is known about the current maneuvers

The Baltic Fleet corvette “Stoiky” arrived at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, after which it worked on interaction with the ships of the Iranian Navy in the waters of the Gulf of Oman. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the crews synchronized actions to “ensure the safety of civilian shipping.”

Iranian sources clarify: on February 19, an additional joint sortie to the northern part of the Indian Ocean is planned. The command of Iran’s first naval district emphasizes that the maneuvers are of a planned nature.

However, the timing and political background give the events a different scale. At the end of February, the trilateral exercises “Maritime Security Belt — 2026” with the participation of Russia, Iran, and China are announced. This is no longer bilateral coordination, but the formation of a military-political configuration.

The American factor and Tehran’s rhetoric

Proximity to the US carrier group

According to Western media, the area of the Russian-Iranian exercises is located near the aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln.” The presence of large naval forces in one operational zone increases the level of tension — even without direct clashes.

On the eve, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made a harsh statement, hinting at the capabilities of weapons capable of destroying an aircraft carrier. The formulations were calculated not so much for the internal audience as for external signals.

Military analysts warn: the risk of error in such a configuration increases. The theoretical launch of American cruise missiles at Iranian targets may be interpreted by nearby Russian or Chinese ships as a threat. In conditions of high readiness, this can lead to retaliatory actions.

Negotiations, pressure, and possible scenarios

US President Donald Trump stated that if Iran refuses the deal, Washington may consider using Diego Garcia Island and Fairford Air Base for a preemptive strike. The rhetoric is tough, but it fits into the traditional model of pressure on Tehran.

At the same time, Iran is negotiating with the US, trying to balance between diplomacy and a show of force. China’s involvement in the exercises in the Strait of Hormuz strengthens the signal of forming an alternative coalition line.

For Israel, what is happening has direct strategic significance. The strengthening of naval interaction between Iran, Russia, and China changes the security architecture in the Middle East. This is not only a matter of regional politics but also a factor of global confrontation.

The editorial board of NAnovosti — Israel News | Nikk.Agency notes: the concentration of forces in the Gulf of Oman is occurring against the backdrop of an unstable situation around Iran’s nuclear program and the expansion of military-technical cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. Any incident in the Hormuz zone can affect the global oil market, the security of sea routes, and the strategic calculations of regional states.

The Gulf of Oman remains a point where the interests of the US, Iran, Russia, and China intersect. The end of February will show whether “Maritime Security Belt — 2026” will be a demonstration of deterrence or a new round of tension.