Yemen.news
The naval forces of Iran, China, and Russia are preparing to launch the eighth iteration of the joint “Maritime Security Belt” exercises, scheduled for mid-February in the northern Indian Ocean.
According to Iran’s Al-Alam TV website on Saturday, units from the Iranian Army Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy will participate in the exercises, along with the navies of China and Russia, as part of efforts to strengthen military and maritime security cooperation among the three countries.
These exercises were first launched in 2019 at the initiative of the Iranian Navy, and seven successful rounds have been held to date.
Iran, Russia, China sign trilateral strategic pact
Jan. 29/26
The pact comes against the backdrop of decades of growing cooperation between these three states. Iran and Russia earlier concluded a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty designed to deepen economic, political, and defence ties, and to blunt the impact of Western sanctions — a treaty that was signed in January 2025 and entered into force last year. Meanwhile, Iran and China have been bound by a 25-year cooperation agreement first signed in 2021, aimed at expanding trade, infrastructure, and energy integration.
What makes today’s signing significantly different, and newsworthy, is that it explicitly combines the three powers in a coordinated framework, aligning them on issues ranging from nuclear sovereignty and economic cooperation to military coordination and diplomatic strategy.
Officials in Tehran described the pact as a joint commitment to “mutual respect, sovereign independence and a rules-based international system that rejects unilateral coercion,” echoing similar statements issued by Beijing and Moscow.
AA
The leaders of Egypt and Iran discussed Iran’s nuclear file and efforts to reduce regional tensions during a phone call on Saturday, with Cairo stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against military escalation, according to the Egyptian presidency.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received the call from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the presidency said in a statement. The conversation addressed developments related to Iran’s nuclear program, with Sisi expressing Egypt’s “deep concern” over rising tensions in the region.
Sisi stressed the need to avoid escalation and rejected military solutions, underscoring that diplomacy remains “the only and optimal path” to resolving the crisis in a way that spares the Middle East further instability, the statement said.
The Egyptian president said Cairo continues to make intensive efforts to encourage the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table, with the aim of reaching a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the nuclear issue.
Trump keeping Iran Plans close to his vest, leaving allies questioning
President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States is keeping its plans close to the vest as tensions with Iran intensify, even as reports Friday said key Gulf allies remain uncertain about Washington’s intentions and potential intervention.
Trump, in excerpts of a Saturday interview posted on X, declined to provide specifics about U.S. military planning, arguing that secrecy is essential — even with partners in the region seeking clarity.
“Well, we can’t tell them the plan,” Trump said. “If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan — it could be worse, actually.”
The comments came a day after reports that several Gulf allies are “in the dark” about what the United States may do next, raising questions about coordination with governments that host U.S. forces and could be affected by any escalation between Washington and Tehran.
Trump framed the situation as a mix of pressure and diplomacy, saying Iran has been communicating with the United States but leaving open the possibility of further action.
“But look, the plan is that [Iran is] talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens,” he said.
So…. Is Trump looking for an out? A face saving quick operation? Then he can claim to have stopped 9 wars? His ego is that huge. We’ll know soon enough either way? One thing I’m certain of we don’t need any more war.
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