The "Security Belt-2025" naval exercise with China, Russia, and Iran has been grabbing attention this week, and it’s easy to see why. These three countries teaming up in the Gulf of Oman isn’t just about practicing sailor stuff it’s a big, bold move in a world that’s already pretty tense. With the U.S. keeping a close eye and global politics heating up, everyone’s wondering: when did this exercise wrap up, and what’s going on today, March 14, 2025? Let’s break it down, see what’s been happening, and figure out what it all means.
When Did It All Start?
The "Security Belt-2025" exercise kicked off on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, near the Iranian port of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman. That’s a key spot right near the Strait of Hormuz, where a ton of the world’s oil passes through. According to China’s CGTN and Iran’s state media, the drills brought together about 15 ships, some combat boats, and helicopters. Russia sent corvettes like the Rezky, China brought the destroyer Baotou and supply ship Gaoyou Lake, and Iran rolled out its warships plus some IRGC boats.
The official story is that this is about teamwork practicing search-and-rescue missions, fighting piracy, and making sure the seas are safe. These countries have been doing joint drills like this since 2019, so it’s not new. But let’s be real: with the U.S. and its allies always watching this region, these exercises are also a way to flex their muscles and say, “We can handle things here too.” It’s as much about politics as it is about training.
What Have They Been Doing?
Since Tuesday, the three navies have been busy. Reports from earlier this week say they’ve been running simulated attacks on sea targets, doing search-and-rescue drills, and firing real weapons both during the day and at night. China’s Defense Ministry said on March 12 that their destroyer Baotou led some of the shooting exercises, while Russia’s Rezky worked on taking out mock enemies. Iran’s IRGC boats practiced anti-piracy stuff, like freeing a “hijacked” ship, which isn’t a crazy scenario in a place like the Gulf of Oman.
They also invited observers from countries like Pakistan, South Africa, and Azerbaijan to watch. That’s a smart move it’s not just about the three of them; it’s about showing other nations they’re a united front. On X, a user named @sfrantzman tied the drills to a meeting in China today, March 14, where these same countries are talking about nuclear stuff. It’s all connected, and it’s all happening for a reason.
When Did the Drills End?
Here’s the tricky part: as of 12:14 PM EDT on March 14, 2025, there’s no official word on whether the exercise is done. But we can make a good guess based on past years. Last year’s "Maritime Security Belt 2024" ran from March 11 to March 15 that’s five days according to the South China Morning Post. The 2023 drills went from March 15 to March 18, so four days, per The Moscow Times. These exercises usually last 4–5 days, which means "Security Belt-2025" might end today, March 14, or tomorrow, March 15.
There was a weird report from Iran’s Mehr News Agency on March 12 saying the exercise “wrapped up on Wednesday,” but that’d mean it only lasted two days, which doesn’t match the pattern or the scale of this thing. It’s more likely they meant a specific part, like the live-fire drills, ended that day. Without an official announcement, I’d bet it’s either finishing up today or tomorrow. In 2024, the ships left Chabahar on the fifth day after a debrief, so that could be happening right now.
What’s Going On Today, March 14?==As of today, there’s no fresh update saying the exercise is over or what’s happening right this second. That’s a little annoying, but these countries don’t always share updates in real time they like to control the story. On X, people are still talking about it. A user, @nunsense12, posted today saying they “approve” of the drills, and @sfrantzman mentioned them alongside that nuclear meeting in China. That tells me the exercise is still a big deal, but it doesn’t confirm if it’s done.
If it’s following the usual playbook, today might be the last day of action. The fleets could be doing a final drill like a big search-and-rescue simulation or wrapping up with a meeting. In past years, the last day often includes a press conference or a joint statement about how great everything went. For example, in 2023, Iran’s navy commander gave a speech on the final day, bragging about their “collective power.” We might see something like that today or tomorrow, but for now, we’re just waiting for the official word.
Why Does This Matter?
Let’s talk about why this exercise is such a big deal. Sure, it’s about training making sure these navies can work together and handle real threats like piracy. But there’s a lot more to it. The Gulf of Oman is right next to the Strait of Hormuz, where about 20% of the world’s oil flows through. The U.S. has a big naval presence here with its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and they’re not thrilled to see China, Russia, and Iran teaming up.
The timing isn’t random either. This week, the U.S. and Ukraine were in Saudi Arabia talking about a ceasefire in their war, with Trump pushing for a 30-day truce. At the same time, the U.S. and Iran are at each other’s throats Iran’s been accused of plotting against Trump, and the U.S. just sent more troops to the Middle East. So, these drills are a way for China, Russia, and Iran to show they’re not backing down. It’s like they’re saying, “We’ve got our own team, and we can operate in your backyard.”
Analysts like those at SpecialEurasia say this is part of a bigger plan. Russia and Iran are both under Western sanctions, so they’re leaning on China for support. China gets to show off its navy far from home and build ties with Iran’s ports. It’s a win for all of them, but it’s a headache for the U.S. and NATO, who see this as a challenge to their control in the region. On X, users like @IntelCrab called the drills a “direct response” to U.S. naval activity in the Middle East, and they’re probably not wrong.
What’s the Bigger Picture Here?
These joint drills aren’t new they started back in 2019, and they’ve happened almost every year since. But each time, the stakes feel higher. For China, this is a chance to prove it’s a global player, not just a regional one. For Russia, it’s about showing it still has friends despite the Ukraine mess. And for Iran, hosting this in Chabahar a port they’re trying to turn into a trade hub is a way to boost their image while sticking it to the U.S.
Inviting observers from places like Pakistan and South Africa isn’t just for show either. It’s about building a bigger group of allies, especially in the Global South, to counter Western pressure.The U.S. and its allies aren’t happy about this last year, outlets like The Times of Israel called these drills a “counterweight” to U.S. power in the region. With Trump back in the game and tensions simmering, this year’s exercise feels even more loaded.
What Happens Next?
If the exercise ends today or tomorrow, what’s next? In past years, the end of these drills has led to more cooperation. In 2024, China and Iran had a side meeting to talk about more naval projects, per China Military. Russia has used these events to push for arms deals with Iran like drones and missiles, which the West isn’t thrilled about. We might see some new agreements or joint statements soon, especially with that nuclear meeting in China happening now.
The U.S. will probably respond too maybe with more patrols in the Persian Gulf or a statement calling the drills “destabilizing.” These exercises might be short, but their impact sticks around. They’re a reminder that China, Russia, and Iran are getting tighter, and that’s something the West has to deal with.
So, Where Are We At?
Here’s the deal: as of March 14, 2025, the "Security Belt-2025" exercise is likely in its final hours or might already be done. Based on past years, it’s probably wrapping up today or tomorrow, March 15, after a 4–5 day run. There’s no specific update for today saying it’s over, but the timeline and online chatter suggest the fleets are either finishing up or heading home. This whole thing is part training, part politics a way for these countries to show they can work together and stand up to the West.
Keep an eye out for a closing statement from China, Russia, or Iran. They’ll probably say how awesome it was and hint at more to come. For now, the world’s watching, and you can bet the U.S. is too. The drills might be ending, but the message they’re sending? That’s not going anywhere.
When Did It All Start?
The "Security Belt-2025" exercise kicked off on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, near the Iranian port of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman. That’s a key spot right near the Strait of Hormuz, where a ton of the world’s oil passes through. According to China’s CGTN and Iran’s state media, the drills brought together about 15 ships, some combat boats, and helicopters. Russia sent corvettes like the Rezky, China brought the destroyer Baotou and supply ship Gaoyou Lake, and Iran rolled out its warships plus some IRGC boats.
The official story is that this is about teamwork practicing search-and-rescue missions, fighting piracy, and making sure the seas are safe. These countries have been doing joint drills like this since 2019, so it’s not new. But let’s be real: with the U.S. and its allies always watching this region, these exercises are also a way to flex their muscles and say, “We can handle things here too.” It’s as much about politics as it is about training.
What Have They Been Doing?
Since Tuesday, the three navies have been busy. Reports from earlier this week say they’ve been running simulated attacks on sea targets, doing search-and-rescue drills, and firing real weapons both during the day and at night. China’s Defense Ministry said on March 12 that their destroyer Baotou led some of the shooting exercises, while Russia’s Rezky worked on taking out mock enemies. Iran’s IRGC boats practiced anti-piracy stuff, like freeing a “hijacked” ship, which isn’t a crazy scenario in a place like the Gulf of Oman.
They also invited observers from countries like Pakistan, South Africa, and Azerbaijan to watch. That’s a smart move it’s not just about the three of them; it’s about showing other nations they’re a united front. On X, a user named @sfrantzman tied the drills to a meeting in China today, March 14, where these same countries are talking about nuclear stuff. It’s all connected, and it’s all happening for a reason.
When Did the Drills End?
Here’s the tricky part: as of 12:14 PM EDT on March 14, 2025, there’s no official word on whether the exercise is done. But we can make a good guess based on past years. Last year’s "Maritime Security Belt 2024" ran from March 11 to March 15 that’s five days according to the South China Morning Post. The 2023 drills went from March 15 to March 18, so four days, per The Moscow Times. These exercises usually last 4–5 days, which means "Security Belt-2025" might end today, March 14, or tomorrow, March 15.
There was a weird report from Iran’s Mehr News Agency on March 12 saying the exercise “wrapped up on Wednesday,” but that’d mean it only lasted two days, which doesn’t match the pattern or the scale of this thing. It’s more likely they meant a specific part, like the live-fire drills, ended that day. Without an official announcement, I’d bet it’s either finishing up today or tomorrow. In 2024, the ships left Chabahar on the fifth day after a debrief, so that could be happening right now.
What’s Going On Today, March 14?==As of today, there’s no fresh update saying the exercise is over or what’s happening right this second. That’s a little annoying, but these countries don’t always share updates in real time they like to control the story. On X, people are still talking about it. A user, @nunsense12, posted today saying they “approve” of the drills, and @sfrantzman mentioned them alongside that nuclear meeting in China. That tells me the exercise is still a big deal, but it doesn’t confirm if it’s done.
If it’s following the usual playbook, today might be the last day of action. The fleets could be doing a final drill like a big search-and-rescue simulation or wrapping up with a meeting. In past years, the last day often includes a press conference or a joint statement about how great everything went. For example, in 2023, Iran’s navy commander gave a speech on the final day, bragging about their “collective power.” We might see something like that today or tomorrow, but for now, we’re just waiting for the official word.
Why Does This Matter?
Let’s talk about why this exercise is such a big deal. Sure, it’s about training making sure these navies can work together and handle real threats like piracy. But there’s a lot more to it. The Gulf of Oman is right next to the Strait of Hormuz, where about 20% of the world’s oil flows through. The U.S. has a big naval presence here with its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and they’re not thrilled to see China, Russia, and Iran teaming up.
The timing isn’t random either. This week, the U.S. and Ukraine were in Saudi Arabia talking about a ceasefire in their war, with Trump pushing for a 30-day truce. At the same time, the U.S. and Iran are at each other’s throats Iran’s been accused of plotting against Trump, and the U.S. just sent more troops to the Middle East. So, these drills are a way for China, Russia, and Iran to show they’re not backing down. It’s like they’re saying, “We’ve got our own team, and we can operate in your backyard.”
Analysts like those at SpecialEurasia say this is part of a bigger plan. Russia and Iran are both under Western sanctions, so they’re leaning on China for support. China gets to show off its navy far from home and build ties with Iran’s ports. It’s a win for all of them, but it’s a headache for the U.S. and NATO, who see this as a challenge to their control in the region. On X, users like @IntelCrab called the drills a “direct response” to U.S. naval activity in the Middle East, and they’re probably not wrong.
What’s the Bigger Picture Here?
These joint drills aren’t new they started back in 2019, and they’ve happened almost every year since. But each time, the stakes feel higher. For China, this is a chance to prove it’s a global player, not just a regional one. For Russia, it’s about showing it still has friends despite the Ukraine mess. And for Iran, hosting this in Chabahar a port they’re trying to turn into a trade hub is a way to boost their image while sticking it to the U.S.
Inviting observers from places like Pakistan and South Africa isn’t just for show either. It’s about building a bigger group of allies, especially in the Global South, to counter Western pressure.The U.S. and its allies aren’t happy about this last year, outlets like The Times of Israel called these drills a “counterweight” to U.S. power in the region. With Trump back in the game and tensions simmering, this year’s exercise feels even more loaded.
What Happens Next?
If the exercise ends today or tomorrow, what’s next? In past years, the end of these drills has led to more cooperation. In 2024, China and Iran had a side meeting to talk about more naval projects, per China Military. Russia has used these events to push for arms deals with Iran like drones and missiles, which the West isn’t thrilled about. We might see some new agreements or joint statements soon, especially with that nuclear meeting in China happening now.
The U.S. will probably respond too maybe with more patrols in the Persian Gulf or a statement calling the drills “destabilizing.” These exercises might be short, but their impact sticks around. They’re a reminder that China, Russia, and Iran are getting tighter, and that’s something the West has to deal with.
So, Where Are We At?
Here’s the deal: as of March 14, 2025, the "Security Belt-2025" exercise is likely in its final hours or might already be done. Based on past years, it’s probably wrapping up today or tomorrow, March 15, after a 4–5 day run. There’s no specific update for today saying it’s over, but the timeline and online chatter suggest the fleets are either finishing up or heading home. This whole thing is part training, part politics a way for these countries to show they can work together and stand up to the West.
Keep an eye out for a closing statement from China, Russia, or Iran. They’ll probably say how awesome it was and hint at more to come. For now, the world’s watching, and you can bet the U.S. is too. The drills might be ending, but the message they’re sending? That’s not going anywhere.
