The armies of Pakistan, the United States, Azerbaijan and Turkey recently carried out joint military exercises in Izmir, Türkiye. The exercise included participation from the Azerbaijani Navy, Turkish Army, US security units, and Pakistani Air Force patrol aircraft. The involvement of three Muslim-majority nations along with the United States has sparked questions about the objective of these joint operations.

A key question arises: who are these countries preparing against? Analysts suggest that these maritime exercises are aimed at exerting pressure on Iran and countering the influence of the anti-Russian bloc in the Caspian–Black Sea region, with strategic backing from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Purpose of the joint exercise
According to commentary shared by the Telegram account Sepah Pasdaran, the exercises represent ongoing strategic preparations by these countries against Iran, Russia, and China through coordinated naval manoeuvres. The goal appears to be the encirclement or containment of these three nations in the Black Sea and Caspian regions. Such a shift could also impact India, whose trade through the Caspian Sea alone is valued at around 2.9 billion dollars.

Overall, the exercises aim to deter or balance the strategic influence of Iran and Russia in the region, with the coordination and support of Western powers like the US and UK.

Why is the Black Sea important?
The Black Sea holds immense strategic value. It is bordered by six nations: Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Georgia, and Russia. Out of these, Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye are NATO members. Control over the Black Sea allows Russia to maintain political and economic leverage over NATO’s eastern flank.

The region also carries heavy geopolitical weight, situated as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Militarily and politically, the Black Sea remains highly sensitive, often becoming a focal point for tensions and power struggles.

Importance for global trade
A massive share of global oil, gas, and grain supplies passes through the Black Sea. The Bosphorus Strait in Türkiye is considered one of the most critical maritime chokepoints in the world. Russia and Ukraine are among the top exporters of wheat and grain. Additionally, Europe’s energy security relies significantly on gas and oil pipelines that traverse the Black Sea region. Because of its economic and strategic value, multiple countries conduct large-scale military drills here, keeping the region in a constant state of alert.

What is Iran’s stance on the Black Sea?
Iran has also begun shifting greater focus toward the Black Sea. Tehran has stated that the Caspian Sea today holds the same level of importance as the Persian Gulf once did. Iran’s external trade routes and energy-transport priorities are increasingly oriented toward the northeast—from the Caspian Sea toward the Black Sea.