TEHRAN – The head of the Iranian Army Navy has announced that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in a joint naval exercise, a move aimed at strengthening regional cooperation.

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani highlighted the Iranian Navy's operations in the Red Sea, noting that Saudi Arabia has proposed a combined exercise in that region. Both nations have extended invitations to each other concerning their presence in the ports.

Irani added that both sides' initiatives include plans for a bilateral exercise and potential involvement from other nations. 

“Coordination efforts are currently in progress, and delegations from both countries will engage in necessary discussions regarding the execution of the exercise,” the commander emphasized.

This collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Iran could potentially pave the way for further dialogue and de-escalation of tensions in the region, benefiting both countries and the broader international community.

Military observers from both parties will be attentively assessing the results of this exercise and the possible effects it could have on the geopolitical dynamics of West Asia.

This proposed joint naval exercise in the Red Sea would mark the third instance of military cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the region. In 2018, the two nations, alongside Oman and Pakistan, participated in a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean under the banner of the "Coalition of Friendship”. This week, Iran concluded a joint naval drill in its southern waters, with Saudi Arabia among the participating nations.