Iran has announced plans for joint military drills with Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, as indicated by Iranian navy commander Admiral Shahram Irani. The initiative follows recent diplomatic efforts to mend ties between the two nations, which had been severed since 2016. Although Saudi Arabia has yet to officially confirm participation, this development may signify improved relations amidst ongoing regional complexities involving Yemen.
Tehran has announced a significant development regarding its military cooperation with Riyadh: joint exercises in the Red Sea. According to Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of Iran’s navy, Saudi Arabia has extended an invitation for collaborative military operations. He mentioned, “Saudi Arabia has asked that we organise joint exercises in the Red Sea.” The admiral emphasized that coordination is currently being undertaken, and delegations from both nations will convene to discuss the necessary arrangements for the exercises. However, he refrained from providing specific details regarding the timeline for these drills.
Iran and Saudi Arabia, two leading oil-producing countries in the Middle East, have experienced tumultuous relations in the past. Diplomatic ties were severed in 2016 following the execution of a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, which incited violent protests and significant diplomatic fallout. After years of hostility, 2023 marked a turning point, as relations began to normalize during a summit hosted by China. Notably, Iran continues to support the Houthi forces in Yemen, who have been in conflict with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. The announcement of joint military drills may reflect an ongoing realignment in regional dynamics amidst the backdrop of these complexities.
The proposed joint military drills between Iran and Saudi Arabia represent a historic moment in overcoming years of diplomatic estrangement. While the specifics remain unclear, this initiative could signal a potential thawing of relations and an opportunity for enhanced security cooperation in the region, despite ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Yemen.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
