Iran and Saudi Arabia are reportedly planning to conduct joint military drills in the Red Sea, according to a report by AFP on Tuesday, citing Iranian sources. However, this has yet to be confirmed by Saudi officials. If these exercises go ahead, it would mark the first such collaboration between the two major Middle Eastern powers.

“Saudi Arabia has asked that we organize joint exercises in the Red Sea,” said Admiral Shahram Irani, head of Iran’s navy, as reported by Iran’s ISNA news outlet.

He added, “Coordination is underway and delegations from both countries will hold the necessary consultations on how to conduct the exercise.” No specifics, including a timeline, were provided.

At this point, Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed any plans for military cooperation with Iran.

Historically, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been adversaries in the region, with Saudi Arabia severing diplomatic ties in 2016 after its embassies in Tehran and Mashhad were stormed by protesters.

Nevertheless, the two nations reached an agreement to restore relations last year, brokered by China.

Following this deal, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced in June that it would reopen its embassies and other diplomatic offices in Saudi Arabia.

This agreement raised hopes for progress in ending the conflict in Yemen, where both countries support opposing factions.

While U.S. and Saudi officials have indicated that Iran agreed to stop secretly supplying weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen as part of the arrangement, Iran has not officially confirmed this.

{Matzav.com}