Iran, Russia and China held a trilateral naval drill in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif asserted that “Iran has long stated its readiness to work with our neighbours to secure the Persian Gulf. HOPE (Hormuz Peace Endeavour) is on the table right now. Our joint military drills… with our Russian and Chinese partners make clear our broader commitment to secure vital waterways”. A senior Iranian navy official remarked that “the message of this exercise is peace, friendship and lasting security through cooperation and unity… and its effect will be to show that Iran cannot be isolated”.