Chinese and Russian ships entered Iranian territorial waters to participate in joint military exercises with the Islamic Republic, the official Irna news agency reported on Tuesday.

China has deployed the Urumqi guided-missile destroyer, the Linyi frigate and the Dongpinghu logistics support ship.

Russia said that a detachment of ships of the Pacific Fleet, led by the Varyag cruiser, arrived on Monday in the port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran.

The drills coincide with the start of Ramadan, as the Israeli military continues its bombardment of the Gaza Strip as part of its war against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

Representatives of the three countries explained that the drills are intended to jointly shield regional security and maritime economic activity. With a common goal to oppose what they see as US hegemony, the three countries organized joint drills in the region in March 2023.

Tehran-backed Houthi rebels have been disrupting maritime traffic by launching attacks on ships since November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza which Israel has been striking since October 7.

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