Iran and Saudi Arabia will hold joint military exercises in the Red Sea, Iranian media reported yesterday.
The Saudi authorities have not confirmed this information. These would be the first joint military exercises between the two rival countries in the Middle East.
The two countries, which have long supported opposing camps in the region, cut diplomatic ties for seven years. However, they resumed in March 2023 thanks to a rapprochement agreed under the auspices of China.
“Saudi Arabia has requested that we organize joint exercises in the Red Sea,” the commander of the Iranian Navy, Admiral Shahram Irani, said, local news agency ISNA reported.
Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm the holding of maneuvers with Iran.
“Coordination is ongoing and the delegations of the two countries will have the necessary consultations on how to carry out the exercise,” added Irani, without giving other details.
The Houthis, Iran-backed Yemeni rebels, have claimed responsibility for attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for months.
Those rebels are targeting ships they believe are linked to Israel and are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have in the past staged attacks on Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen’s government and has led a military coalition against the rebels.
