Russia, China, and Iran to carry out joint naval drill to ‘deepen military trust’

The trio dubbed the new 'Axis of Evil' will begin exercises tomorrow

China's defence ministry announced the news today as exercises are set to begin tomorrow.

Iran's Tasnim news agency said drills will begin tomorrow in the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar.

Beijing's statement said the drill will feature training courses including maritime target strikes, damage control and joint search and rescue operations.

The statement added that the operation aims to deepen military mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation among the participating countries' troops.

Moscow, Beijing and Tehran have held similar drills annually, recently conducting exercises together in the Gulf of Oman last year.

Western commentators have previously dubbed the trio, along with North Korea, the 'Axis of Evil'.

Iran has pledged support for Russia diplomatically and militarily since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

While Beijing has attempted to keep its distance, adopting a relatively neutral stance, they have long been allies.

China has kept up relations with Moscow while the West has attempted to isolate the Kremlin.