TEHRAN – Iran and Oman conducted two separate joint military exercises on Thursday, as the two Persian Gulf states work to strengthen cooperation in different fields. 

 Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, the commander of Iran's Army Ground Force, announced that Tehran and Muscat took part in their first-ever joint anti-terrorism exercise, which was organized at the request of the Omani army. The exercise, he said, focused on urban warfare, combating regional terrorism, ensuring sustainable security, and facilitating the exchange of experiences between the two nations.

The ground exercise took place in Oman and included rapid reaction units and the 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade from Iran, with support from the Omani Air Force and police forces.

Additionally, a joint maritime rescue operation was executed in the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz, featuring combat vessels from the naval forces of Iran’s Army and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as the Royal Navy of Oman. The drill utilized Iranian-made assets, including the Jamaran destroyer and the Zereh missile-launching ship.

Iran and Oman have traditionally held close and friendly ties. The two countries, however, have been aiming to take bigger strides in their relations in recent years, especially in terms of military cooperation.