Nournews: This exercise aimed to ensure security in the northern Indian Ocean, particularly in the "Golden Triangle" area (the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait).
Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajeddini, spokesperson for the exercise, announced the participation of countries including Iran, Russia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and India. The exercise was conducted under the motto "Together for a Safe and Secure Indian Ocean," with peace, friendship, and solidarity as its key messages.
Iran’s power amid sanctions
The exercise sent a clear global message about Iran’s role in maritime security. Iran's strong presence, using domestically made equipment and vessels, showcased the failure of maximum pressure and sanctions policies.
This demonstration of power serves as a model for other areas within the country, especially the economy, showing that goals can be achieved without reliance on external sources. Iran's resilience is also a powerful example for other countries under Western sanctions, showing them how to pursue self-sufficiency and resist external pressure.
Global trust in Iran
A second key message from the exercise was Iran's commitment to expanding cooperation with regional countries while prioritizing peace. The participation of countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar showed that Western divisive policies do not harm the regional alignment with Iran. The Iranian navy’s presence in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia’s expressed desire for joint drills in this area also reflect this trust and signal to the West that efforts to isolate Iran have not succeeded.
Iran's role in maritime security
The 2024 IONS exercise highlighted Iran’s role in ensuring regional and global security. Stable security in seas is crucial for global trade, and Iran has played an active role in addressing security threats and environmental challenges. An example of Iran’s capabilities is the eight-month journey of the 86th Naval Fleet, which included the Dena destroyer and the Makran ship, successfully securing international shipping routes.
Iran’s approach to maritime policy
Iran’s maritime policy goes beyond security, also considering environmental and humanitarian aspects. For instance, the 2024 Caspian Sea joint rescue drill involved Iran, Russia, and other Caspian countries. Iran has also proposed the Hormuz Peace Initiative, aiming for regional unity and sustainable security. Iran’s commitment to environmental protection is evident in actions like the interception of British and Greek ships in the Persian Gulf, emphasizing the importance of protecting these waters.
Public diplomacy dimensions
The naval exercise is a representation of Iran’s public diplomacy in the maritime domain. Iran emphasizes achieving sustainable peace while firmly addressing threats. Following heightened threats from the Israeli regime, Iran has pursued a deterrence-based approach, ensuring its own and regional security. Iran’s diplomatic visits to neighboring countries and its military exercises demonstrate its success in both diplomacy and defense. This exercise sent a message of peace and security to the world while also demonstrating Iran's readiness to counter potential threats.
A step towards fair multilateralism
The 2024 IONS exercise conveyed another message: the desire of many countries to embrace fair multilateralism over Western unilateralism. By participating in this exercise, nations recognized Iran's role in promoting multilateralism. Growing support for Israel by the U.S. and the activities of Western fleets highlighted the need for collaboration with independent countries like Iran.
In conclusion, the 2024 IONS exercise displayed Iran’s maritime strength and security capabilities, emphasizing the importance of sustainable peace and security in the region. This event revealed global trust in Iran and an alignment to counter Western unilateralism.
NOURNEWS