Iranian and Russian naval forces held joint military drills on Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northern Indian Ocean, coinciding with a strengthened U.S. military presence in the area. The Iranian news agency ISNA reported that the exercises, which included the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy, aimed to bolster bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, enhance maritime security, and improve operational coordination between the naval forces of both nations. During the drills, a simulation was conducted to demonstrate a coordinated operation between Iranian and Russian naval forces to take control of a maritime vessel. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia continues to develop its relationship with Iran and encourages its Iranian friends and all regional parties to prioritize political and diplomatic avenues to resolve ongoing issues. He emphasized that the joint exercises were planned and coordinated in advance, underlining Moscow’s hope that diplomacy would prevail despite the unprecedented escalation in the region.