Recently, naval forces from both Russia and Iran congregated in the Gulf of Oman to participate in a combined sea drill. The exercise, named CASAREX 2025, was primarily an initiative from Russia to exemplify its ongoing commitment towards cooperative endeavors with Iran. This naval drill was initiated in the Caspian Sea, an area lying south of Russia and north of Iran, symbolizing a strategic dimension of their bilateral ties.
While the commencement of the CASAREX 2025 exercise signals their consolidated interests, it interestingly occurs against a backdrop where both Russia and China didn’t come forward to protect Iran during its 12-day fight with Israel. Both nations held back their assistance despite witnessing the attacks on Iran, exposing their pragmatic stance in international politics.
This lack of support for Iran was more pronounced when the US intervened with a bombing campaign. With the unfolding drama, both Russia and China chose the path of non-interference, even though one might have assumed that they would aim for a stronger Iran in their envisioned new world order.
This seemingly indifferent behavior towards Iran has been primarily interpreted as realpolitik. Regardless of their partnership, Iran suffered the consequences of its engagement with powerful nations. This incident demonstrated how Iran, as Russia and China’s ally, was left isolated and subjected to humiliation on the global platform.
The Russian government, facing its own battles on the Ukrainian front, has witnessed a diminishing prestige in the Middle Eastern sphere. This began with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. The circumstances in Iran only add to Russia’s loss, turning the naval exercise into a diplomatic move to fulfill Russia’s need to assert its sustained interest in collective action.
The Caspian Sea, despite its extreme geographic conditions, holds a certain strategic weight. It lies at a juncture between Iran and Russia, extending its influence to Azerbaijan and the nations of Central Asia. This geographical position earns the sea its strategic significance in the international arena.
Furthermore, Iran has been making diplomatic and economic strides towards Central Asia. The nation envisions a new economic axis that stretches from the north and south, connecting Central Asia, southern Iran, and Pakistan. Securing the naval territories of the Caspian Sea becomes central to fulfilling this vision.
Iran’s homegrown news network, Tasnim, reports that the first phase of the naval exercise occurred in Nadaja’s ‘fourth maritime zone’, located near the town of Rasht. A Russian vessel, SB738, a frigate measuring 57 meters in length, is also said to be participating in the drill.
Present at the exercise is the Iranian Navy, along with delegations from the naval forces of other nations bordering the Caspian Sea. The exercise aims to strengthen operational cooperation, field coordination, and multinational efforts in maritime search and rescue operations.
Escalating the news, Tasnim reported that the main phase of the exercise would be relocated to Imam Reza’s fourth naval zone of Nadaja. This transition will come following a series of coordination meetings between Russian and Iranian navy officials. Observers from other countries sharing the Caspian seashore are also expected to grace the occasion.