Iran and Russia to Conduct Joint Exercises in the Oman Sea

SadaNews - Iran will conduct joint maneuvers on Thursday with its ally Russia in the Oman Sea, according to a statement by a military spokesman on Wednesday, following negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the United States.

The spokesman Hassan Maqsoodlu stated that the "joint naval exercises" would take place in the Oman Sea and the northern Indian Ocean, and their aim is to enhance maritime security (in the region) and relations between the naval forces of the two countries.

The duration of these maneuvers has not been specified.

Iran had announced exercises that began on Monday under the supervision of the Revolutionary Guard in the strategic Hormuz Strait.

Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened, especially during periods of heightened tension between Tehran and Washington, to close this Strait, which is a major route for the transportation of oil and gas worldwide.

Iranian television reported that the Strait was closed for a few hours on Tuesday for "security" reasons during the military exercises.

The United States has deployed a massive naval force in the Gulf as part of its threat to intervene militarily in Iran if the two countries do not reach an agreement during their ongoing talks.

Negotiations resumed in early February, under the auspices of Oman, marking the first discussions since the June war launched by Israel against Iran, during which Washington participated in bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran responded by targeting Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.

Iran asserts that the negotiations are limited to the nuclear file, while Washington wants them to also cover Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the Middle East, foremost among them Hezbollah.