China, Russia and Iran will hold joint naval exercises near the Gulf of Oman this week, according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

The exercise, called Security Bonds 2024, will take place from Monday to Friday and is aimed at “strengthening maritime cooperation” and “jointly safeguarding regional maritime security,” according to a statement on Monday.

Last year, the three countries held a similar round of exercises in the same region.

The drills are scheduled to begin on Tuesday and will also be observed by naval representatives from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported.

Iranian state media added that the purpose of the exercise is to “consolidate the security and foundation of the region and expand multilateral cooperation among participating countries.”

Beijing announced in a statement on Monday that it would dispatch “the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, the guided-missile frigate Linyi and the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu.”

“The actual part of the exercise will be conducted in the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea,” Moscow’s Defense Ministry said, according to Russian news agencies. Moscow also added that the exercise would promote maritime security.

Russian state media reported ahead of this week’s drills that ships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, led by the cruiser Varyag, arrived at the Iranian port of Chabahar on Monday.

The maritime drills come at a time of high tensions in the region over the war in Gaza and ongoing attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Last week, Houthi leader Abdul Malik Houthi said that since October 19 last year, the rebels had launched 403 missiles or drones at 61 ships, causing disruption to international trade.

The Houthi leader has previously promised further escalation of attacks if what he calls “the barbaric and brutal aggression against Gaza does not cease.”

Some U.S. officials have previously expressed concerns about the growing military ties between the three countries. Last year, former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley said China, Russia and Iran would be a problem for Washington “for many years to come.”

Information for this report was obtained in part from The Associated Press, Reuters and AFP.