Russia and Iran are preparing to team up for military exercises in mere hours as Donald Trump continues to mull military intervention in the region. The two nations are set to conduct joint navy drills tomorrow, February 19, in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, Iranian news agency Fars reports.

Iranian navy commander Hassan Maghsoodloo said: “Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety… as well as combating maritime terrorism, are among the main goals of this joint exercise.”

Maritime Security Belt exercises involving Iran, Russia, and China began in 2019 as a way for the three countries to unite against geopolitical pressures from the West.

On Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also began exercises in the Strait of Hormuz amid threats of US military intervention.

Now, according to sources speaking to Axios, as Russia shows its ties with Iran are stronger than ever, the US is closer than ever to a major war in the Middle East.

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While the US would likely try to keep its strikes contained within Iran as it happened last summer, it is not clear whether the allies of Tehran, including Russia, would be willing to intervene should the regime retaliate. A similar move could erupt in a new conflict.

Washington and Tehran have engaged in negotiations, most recently involving a meeting between Trump’s advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

They talked for three hours in Geneva on Tuesday, and while both sides said they “made progress”, US officials suggested Iran wouldn’t budge on key issues.

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that the talks “went well” in some ways, but added: “In other ways it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”