Iran, Oman to Hold Joint Drills

Iranian and Omani naval forces are scheduled to hold joint rescue and relief drills in Iran’s Southern port city of Bandar Abbas, a senior Iranian Navy commander announced on Monday.

First Captain Seyed Amir Golestani, the commander of the surface fleet at Army’s First Naval Zone announced that Oman’s Nasr Al-Bahr warship has docked in Bandar Abbas since yesterday to attend the joint drills.

He added that part of the Iranian Navy’s surface and air units as well as several units of Oman’s Royal Navy Force will participate in the drills due to be held in Iran’s territorial waters.

Over the last few years, Iran and Oman have expanded military ties and cooperation specially over security in the Persian Gulf.

The two countries signed a security agreement in August 2009.

Later in August 2010, the two Persian Gulf states signed an agreement to further boost mutual cooperation in the field of defense.

A few months later in December, the Iranian parliament approved a bill that allows Tehran to implement an agreement on security cooperation and coordination with Oman.