New Naval Powers In Caspian Sea: Iran, Russia’s Drills A Direct Challenge To US?

The friction between Iran and the United States (US) is nothing new. In fact, the tensions between the two nations even reached an all-time high in the past few decades last month when US President Donald Trump ordered direct strikes on 3 Iranian nuclear facilities— Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan— under operation ‘Midnight Hammer’.

The move by the US came weeks after its long-time ally Israel attacked Iranian nuclear sites.

Now, in a direct signal to the US, Iran and Russia have joined hands, bringing their naval forces together for CASAREX 2025. This large-scale joint maritime search and rescue exercise commenced on Monday (July 21) in the Caspian Sea, with the naval forces of both Iran and Russia participation.

It is being held under the banner ‘Together for a Safe and Secure Caspian Sea’.

What is the significance of Iran-Russia Naval Drills?

The timing of the exercise is of critical importance as Iran is moving towards bolstering its military capabilities in view of the 12-day conflict with Israel. With CASAREX 2025, both Iran and Russia are looking to assert their role in those waters. Caspian Sea lies in the north of Iran and south of Russia.

Further, the naval exercise would also send a strong signal of the growing Iran-Russia relationship.

Worth noting here is that Iran is set to hold talks with Russia and China on Tuesday to discuss its nuclear program and the risk of sanctions being reimposed under the UN snapback mechanism. “We are in constant consultation with these two countries to prevent activation of the snapback or to mitigate its consequences,” Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.
Who all will be part of Iran-Russia naval drills?

According to CASAREX 2025 spokesperson Rear Admiral Lower Half Mohsen Razaqi, the joint exercise also includes units from Iran’s Army Navy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, the Law Enforcement Command, and observers from other Caspian littoral states.

Why does Iran need to strengthen its military?

The middle eastern country has been engaged in a war with Israel, which is finding a key support in the US. Trump even ordered attacks on key nuclear sites in Iran after which the country has accused the US of complicity in the Israeli attack. The US has even imposed several sanctions on Iran.

Earlier this year, Iran’s parliament approved a 20-year strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran. The key deal covers joint drills, tech sharing, and coordination against common threats.