10 days ago, the UAE announced it withdrew from the US-backed task force that was set up to secure merchant shipping in the Gulf region. The reason for the UAE's withdrawal is dissatisfaction with the US failure to provide the promised "ship security" with the help of the task force.

News: Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Pakistan and India will unite in a naval alliance.

China has fully supported the plan to form a naval alliance that will weaken US military activity in the Persian Gulf region. Beijing said the alliance, which Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani says is being planned, "will contribute to global peace and energy security."