Tehran: An Iranian report, which Riyadh has not confirmed, claims that Iran and Saudi Arabia are preparing to undertake joint military drills in the Red Sea. It would be the first time the two regional superpowers have done so.
According to the Iranian news agency ISNA, Admiral Shahram Irani, the head of Iran’s navy, stated, “Saudi Arabia has asked that we organize joint exercises in the Red Sea.”
“Coordination is underway and delegations from both countries will hold the necessary consultations on how to conduct the exercise,” he continued. He did not specify a timeframe or other specifics.
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Whether Saudi Arabia would conduct joint military drills with Iran was not immediately confirmed.
As the largest oil exporter in the world attempts to distance itself from the conflict at its doorstep, Saudi Arabia, which has supported the Aden administration, has been involved in a delicate balancing act.
It chose not to participate in a naval alliance led by the US to thwart Huthi attacks. Following the Huthi attacks on ships, the kingdom’s attempts to mediate a peace agreement with Yemen also failed.