On Wednesday, Beijing announced that it would be conducting joint military maneuvers with Tehran and Moscow in the Gulf of Oman. The exercises are expected to last five days and will involve naval, air, and ground forces from all three countries.

The announcement has raised eyebrows in Washington and other Western capitals, who are concerned about the growing military cooperation between China, Russia, and Iran. The maneuvers come amid rising tensions between Iran and the West, as well as increasing friction between China and the United States over trade, technology, and security issues.

China’s decision to participate in the joint exercises is significant for several reasons. First, it signals Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Middle East, where it has sought to expand its economic and diplomatic influence in recent years. China is the world’s largest importer of oil, much of which comes from the Persian Gulf, and has invested heavily in energy projects in Iran and other countries in the region.

Second, the joint exercises underscore China’s deepening military ties with Russia, which has been its strategic partner in the region for decades. Russia has supplied Iran with advanced weapons and military technology, including surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets, and has worked closely with Tehran to prop up the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Third, the joint exercises represent a challenge to US dominance in the region, where it has long been the preeminent military power. The United States maintains a significant military presence in the Persian Gulf, including naval bases in Bahrain and Qatar, and has conducted numerous military exercises with its regional partners.

The joint exercises also come at a time when Iran is under increasing pressure from the United States and its allies, who have imposed sanctions on the regime in response to its nuclear program, ballistic missile tests, and support for militant groups in the region. Iran has responded by ramping up its military activities, including the recent seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

The joint exercises with China and Russia will be seen as a show of strength by Tehran, which is hoping to deter further aggression from the West. They will also serve as a message to the United States and its allies that Iran has powerful friends who are willing to stand by it in the face of pressure and sanctions.

For China, the joint exercises represent an opportunity to demonstrate its military capabilities and showcase its growing role as a major player in global affairs. They also serve as a reminder to the United States that China is not afraid to challenge its military dominance in the region.

The joint exercises have been criticized by some observers, who see them as a provocation and a threat to regional stability. The United States has expressed concern about the exercises.

However, others argue that the joint exercises are a natural consequence of the changing geopolitical landscape in the region. As China’s economic and strategic interests in the Middle East grow, it is only natural that it would seek to deepen its military ties with key players in the region.

Moreover, the joint exercises may serve as a stabilizing force in the region, by promoting dialogue and cooperation between the major powers. China, Russia, and Iran share a common interest in maintaining stability in the Persian Gulf, which is critical to global energy security.

Ultimately, the joint exercises are a reminder that the balance of power in the Middle East is shifting, with China and Russia playing an increasingly prominent role in the region’s affairs. This shift will have significant implications for the United States and its allies, who will need to adapt to a new strategic landscape in the years to come.