Iran has announced that Saudi Arabia will participate in joint military exercises in the Red Sea, representing a historic first for the former rivals. This decision follows the restoration of diplomatic relations last year, after a period of severed ties since 2016. While specifics on the drills are unclear, they come amidst Iran’s ongoing naval exercises with Russia and Oman. The backdrop includes significant regional tensions, particularly from Houthi rebel activities.
Iran has announced that Saudi Arabia will participate in joint military drills in the Red Sea, marking a significant development in the historically tense relations between the two nations. This announcement was made by Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Iranian navy, who reported that Saudi Arabia had requested Tehran to coordinate these military exercises in the Red Sea. Although details regarding the timing of the drills remain unspecified, they follow ongoing naval exercises between Tehran, Moscow, and Oman that commenced over the weekend. Notably, Saudi Arabia has yet to officially confirm its involvement in these upcoming military drills. The chronicle of Iran-Saudi relations has been fraught, characterized by decades of rivalry in the Middle East. The two nations severed diplomatic ties in 2016, driven largely by geopolitical conflicts. However, they mended these ties in 2023 under an unexpected agreement brokered by China. Saudi Arabia, while advocating for a ceasefire in the current Israel-Hamas conflict, has distanced itself from direct involvement in the situation, notably refraining from joining the United States-European coalition aimed at safeguarding merchant vessels from Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. The Houthi militant organization has increasingly targeted military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, actions that have complicated Saudi Arabia’s peace efforts in Yemen. The reported Iran-Saudi naval drills emerge at a time when Tehran is enhancing military collaboration with Russia and Oman, with recent exercises dubbed “IMEX 2024” focusing on strengthening collective security and regional stability. Since March, Iran has engaged in multiple joint exercises with Russia and China in the Gulf of Oman, positioning Saudi Arabia among the nations invited to observe these activities.
The discussions surrounding the joint military drills in the Red Sea represent a noteworthy pivot in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s relationship, which has been historically antagonistic due to competing interests in the Middle East. Both nations have supported opposing factions in regional conflicts, leading to a prolonged period of estrangement that culminated in the severance of diplomatic relations in 2016. The mediation by China in 2023 facilitated a significant thawing of relations, allowing for potential collaboration in various domains, including military exercises. The backdrop of regional instability, particularly due to the Houthi rebel threats in Yemen and the overarching Israel-Hamas conflict, underscores the importance of these drills in addressing collective security dynamics in the region.
In conclusion, the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in planned military exercises with Iran in the Red Sea signifies a historic shift in their relations, following years of rivalry and tension. As both nations navigate new diplomatic waters in light of recent agreements and ongoing regional conflicts, these joint drills may serve as a critical step toward enhancing security and cooperation in the volatile Middle East. However, the effectiveness of such military collaboration will depend on a continued commitment from both sides to uphold their diplomatic rapprochement amidst complex geopolitical challenges.
Original Source: nypost.com
