An Iranian report is now indicating that Iran and Saudi Arabia are contemplating conducting joint military exercises in the Red Sea.
This would be a first for the regional heavyweights.
In 2016, the two Middle Eastern rivals, who have long supported opposing parties in conflict zones throughout the region, severed diplomatic ties.
Nevertheless, a surprise agreement mediated by China last year resulted in the resumption of relations between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shiite Muslim-dominated Iran.
Saudi Arabia did not immediately clarify whether it would conduct joint military exercises with Iran.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran, have been conducting a series of attacks against ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November.
They claim that this action is intended to demonstrate their solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Additionally, the Houthis have launched missiles that have been directed at Israel, which resulted in retaliatory airstrikes by the Israelis late last month.
These airstrikes were directed at Houthi infrastructure in western Yemen.
Since 2015, the Houthis have been engaged in a conflict with a Saudi-led coalition.
This conflict began after the Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, and the majority of Yemen’s population centers, resulting in the internationally recognized government’s relocation to Aden.
The world’s largest energy exporter, Saudi Arabia, has been involved in a precarious balancing act as it endeavors to remove itself from the conflict that is occurring on its doorstep.
Saudi Arabia has provided support to the Aden government.
If they come to pass, the joint exercises would likely be seen as a major insult to the U.S. on behalf of the Saudis, who have grown increasingly dissatisfied with the Biden administration in recent years.
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