TEHRAN -- Naval drills hosted by Iran with the participation of Russia and Oman and observed by nine other countries began in the Indian Ocean on Saturday. 
The exercises, dubbed “IMEX 2024”, are aimed at boosting “collective security in the region, expand multilateral cooperation, and display the goodwill and capabilities to safeguard peace, friendship and maritime security”.
Participants practice tactics to ensure international maritime trade security, protect maritime routes, enhance humanitarian measures and exchange information on rescue and relief operations.
The exercises coincide with heightened tensions in the region as Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon rages and Yemen’s armed forces retaliate by launching attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea.
In response to regional tensions with the United States, Iran has increased its military cooperation with Russia and China.
In March, Iran, China and Russia held their fifth joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman. Countries observing the current drills include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand.
The IMEX 2024 naval exercise is held under the motto of “Together for a safe and secure Indian Ocean”. It carries the message of peace, friendship, empathy and collective participation, the drill’s spokesman Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajeddini said.
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium started in 2008 at the initiative of the Indian Navy to increase maritime cooperation on how to deal with non-conventional and organized security challenges.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, along with the Indian Navy, is in charge of two security committees and a humanitarian response committee.
The IONS features 24 Indian Ocean littoral states, which gather biennially for multilateral meetings and naval exercises.
It seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies and provide a forum for discussion of regional maritime issues and the promotion of friendly relationships.