Tehran: Iran plans to hold joint naval exercises with China and Russia in the northern Indian Ocean region in mid-February, Iranian media reported on Saturday amid elevated tensions with the US.

According to Anadolu Agency, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency revealed that this will be the eighth edition of the joint drills, named the 'Maritime Security Belt,' which will bring together naval units from the three countries.

The drills are set to include units from Iran's regular navy and the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alongside naval forces from China and Russia. The exercises are scheduled to take place in the northern Indian Ocean.

The 'Maritime Security Belt' exercises were first initiated by Iran's navy in 2019, with seven previous editions held since then. These drills occur amidst heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 'massive armada' moving toward Iran and his urging for Tehran to engage in negotiations.

Iranian officials have cautioned that any US attack would provoke a 'swift and comprehensive' response, while emphasizing that Tehran is open to discussions, but only under what it considers 'fair, balanced, and noncoercive terms.'