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In a crucial development which boosts the Islamic Republic, Iran, China, and Russia have planned a joint naval exercise in the coming days, in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz. “Upcoming Trilateral Naval Exercise by Iran, China, and Russia,” WANA News Agency, January 31, 2026:

Press TV and Al Jazeera have reported that a joint naval exercise involving Iran, China, and Russia will be held in the coming days in the waters of the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

The maneuver is widely seen as significant, taking place amid rising tensions between Iran and Washington and renewed speculation about a potential U.S. military strike on Iran.

Roughly three weeks ago (January 9–16, 2026), the multinational naval exercise “Exercise of Peace Will 2026” was conducted under South African hostship in waters and airspace near the country’s coast, with prominent participation by China, Russia, and Iran.

This exercise marked the first instance of defense cooperation within the BRICS framework. It focused on scenarios such as maritime attacks, helicopter deck landings from one vessel to another, rescue of hijacked ships, communications drills, tactical fleet formations, and helicopter-based medical evacuation….

So what might be the implications for America as tensions boil between America and the Islamic Republic of Iran? While less clear in the short term, the long-term interest for China, Russia and Iran is to weaken America as a global leader, while Iran, of course, also aims to wipe Israel off the map.

Although China will not likely intervene directly to save the Islamic Republic of Iran from an immediate downfall, the Communist regime is showing signs of coming to Iran’s rescue in more insidious ways. The Diplomat ran an article entitled, “It Won’t Save Iran’s Regime – But Chinese Surveillance Technology Might,” which warned that China has already provided support to the Islamic Republic in the form of surveillance and drone technology.

China has increasingly expressed loyal support for Iran as it advances its own interests globally.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning, at a press conference on January 12, boasted that China attached “high importance” to Canada, specifically to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China to “consolidate the momentum in the turnaround of China-Canada relations.” Mao Ning went on to reveal China’s plans regarding Iran in opposition to Trump, stating that “we are following closely the situation in Iran… We stand against interference in other countries’ internal affairs, advocate that all countries’ sovereignty and security should be fully protected, and oppose using or threatening to use force in international relations.”

While China is not known to overtly interfere in wars with other countries — at least not since the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War — it interferes  stealthily via a multi-pronged strategy. One way is through its infamous deal with the devil-type rescue of economically unstable or destabilized countries. Take, for instance, its “debt trap diplomacy” via its Belt and Road initiative, which is officially enshrined in its Constitution. Through coercion, it works to expand Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “global reach and influence plan.” China has also infiltrated Canada, including election interference and a campaign of intimidation against its own expatriates. China’s infiltration of America is also a major threat to its economic and national security. See also “The Trojan Horse at the Southern Border: Malign CCP Infiltration.” This is all thanks to the Democrats, who have done nothing other than appease and encourage Communists (and jihadists) internally and externally.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated of America’s approach to Iran in mid-January that he “opposes a return of the world to the law of the jungle,” and voiced hope for the Iranian regime. He said that “China believes that the Iranian government and people will stand united, overcome difficulties, maintain national stability and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.” It was noteworthy how he used the term “united” with reference to the Iranian people and the savage regime that is murdering them by the tens of thousands, and that is now reportedly finishing the job as it as it executes injured protesters.

China values human life about as much as the Islamic Republic of Iran does.

Mao Ning also embraced another US antagonist: Somalia. Three weeks ago, Trump announced an end to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis, to begin in March. Mao Ning emphasized a “friendly consultation between the foreign ministries of China and Somalia,” while Wang Yi “stressed that China will, as always, support Somalia in safeguarding sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” as the two countries advance their cooperation

China is strategically encircling America as it courts America’s enemies and advances its own Communist agenda. On January 28, I wrote on Jihad Watch about the Islamic Republic of Iran recording its highest oil production in 46 years, with China driving exports.

China has become progressively more vocal, as it warned the UN Security Council about “any US-led military adventurism against Iran,” saying it “could recklessly destabilize West Asia and drive the region toward unpredictable consequences.”

The publication Modern Diplomacy explained further that China is “leading efforts at the UN Security Council, in cooperation with Russia and Pakistan, to introduce resolutions calling for a ceasefire and condemning attacks on Iranian facilities.”

China has primary economic interests in the Islamic Republic, and launched a strategy beginning with the new year to “replace Western technologies in Iran with secure, closed Chinese systems that are difficult to penetrate, aiming to bolster Iranian ‘digital sovereignty’ and counter cyberattacks.” China is also rebuilding Iran’s “missile and air defense capabilities.”

China and Iran combined are a dangerous threat to American interests, and a more overt confrontation is gradually emerging. Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Deputy Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has stressed that Iran’s “defensive and deterrent capabilities have grown stronger since the 12-day war imposed in June 2025,” and has warned of a “crushing response” to “any hostile action.”

Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping assured Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian of China’s support in a meeting after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China. The meeting, according to the South China Morning Post, “took place amid Beijing’s clear bid to challenge and reshape the US-led world order at a time when both China and Iran are under pressure from such an establishment.”

Xi Jinping has also “doubled down on his support for Iran to ‘safeguard its national sovereignty’ and vowed to promote a widely accepted solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.” China’s view of what is acceptable will certainly not align with that of America or Israel.

Although China has affirmed its diplomatic support for Iran in the face of a US strike on the country, the support appears not to involve direct military intervention to aid Iran. One factor is certain, however: Should the current Islamic regime survive, it will continue to ally with China, and both countries will ramp up efforts against America — China on the economic front as it dominates the BRICS bloc in international trade and financial transactions, and Iran as it continues its jihad against America, its people internationally, and its interests, as well as, of course, against Israel. Although America remains the leading economic and military power globally, that power was reduced and challenged under the Biden administration and previous Democrat rule. Under Trump, America has but a window to regain a greater advantage as China, along with Iran and Russia, challenges its influence.

At the time of this writing, an unverified report from the Caspian Post says that the Iran-China-Russia naval drills have been postponed after a warning from US Central Command.