Iran, Oman Stage Naval Drill
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Naval forces from Iran and Oman held a joint drill in the northern waters of the Indian Ocean to practice maritime rescue and relief operations.
An Iranian naval flotilla berthed at Oman’s capital and port city of Muscat on Sunday for the joint exercise.
Around 1,000 Iranian forces, including divers, took part in the drill on board Sabalan destroyer, Lavan logistic-combat warship which carries helicopters, an SH3D Sea King helicopter, and Falakhan missile-launching corvette.
Following meetings between Iran’s Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman to coordinate operations in the joint drill, the two sides practiced different tactics, including maritime rescue and relief operations, escorting trade vessels and oil tankers, maritime fueling, radio communication, rapid reaction to maritime contingencies, and rescuing wrecked watercraft and injured sailors, an Iranian commander said.
Commander of Iran’s First Naval Zone Admiral Hossein Azad had announced on Saturday that this year’s joint exercise, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, would last for a week.
Iran and Oman decided to stage such a drill given the significant role of the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean in maritime economy, the heavy sea traffic in the area, and the need to ensure maritime security in the region and practice rescue and relief tactics, Azad had noted.
The two countries have held several joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman in recent years.
