Bloomberg: Saudi Arabia makes unprecedented military proposal to Iran
Saudi Arabia has proposed to Iran to hold joint naval exercises in the Red Sea, a military official was quoted as saying by a news agency in the Islamic Republic, though there was no immediate comment from Riyadh.
The exercise, if implemented, would be unprecedented between two regional rivals who signed an agreement last year to restore relations after years of estrangement, and have in recent months strengthened bilateral communication on regional issues.
Defense officials from Saudi Arabia and Iran have previously discussed military cooperation, in a sign that the war between Israel and Hamas is bringing the former foes closer together, according to Bloomberg.
On Monday evening, the Iranian news agency “ISNA” quoted the commander of the Iranian Navy, Admiral Shahram Irani, as saying that Saudi Arabia had proposed holding a joint exercise.
“Saudi Arabia asked us to conduct a joint exercise in the Red Sea,” he explained.
“Both countries invited each other to be present in each other’s ports,” he added, explaining that “the proposal included conducting bilateral training in addition to training with the participation of other countries… Coordination is taking place between the relevant parties, and the delegations of the two countries will hold the necessary consultations on how to conduct a joint exercise”.
The Iranian statement comes at a time when the Red Sea is witnessing attacks carried out by the right-wing Houthis, who are close to Iran, on ships that they say are linked to Israel or heading to its ports, in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where the war between Israel and Hamas continues.
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition in Yemen in support of the internationally recognized government, against the Houthis who control large areas of the country.
Tehran and Riyadh are at odds over several defense issues including the US military presence in the Middle East, the civil war in Yemen, and Iran’s support for militant groups hostile to Saudi interests across the region.
The two countries normalized relations in March 2023, after years of tension over regional influence.
