Iran, Oman begin 2nd joint naval drill

Iranian naval vessel units departed the country's southern coast for Oman as the two countries prepare to hold their second joint military drill.

According to a statement released by the Iranian Navy, the joint naval exercises coincide with the ninth session of the joint military committee in the Omani capital city, Muscat. 

Last month, Deputy Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami said Iranian and Omani armed forces would exchange views on common issues during the five-day conference which opened on February 5. 

He noted that the two countries drew plans for the next year, including exchanging visits between commanders, holding educational courses, staging joint marine maneuvers and expanding educational cooperation. 

The Iranian commander pointed to “very good” marine cooperation between the two countries and stressed the importance of promoting closer relations between Iran and Oman, as two Muslim countries located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.