"China, Russia, and Iran conduct joint military drills in Middle East"

China, Russia, and Iran will conduct joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman this week, with other unnamed countries participating in the "Security Bond-2023" military exercises. The drills will focus on search and rescue at sea and other non-combat missions. The exercises come as U.S. relations with each nation have deteriorated, and China has sought to strengthen its ties to nations at odds with the U.S. and expand its influence in the Middle East to gain access to energy and hydrocarbons from the region.