Iran and Oman have conducted a joint naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that connects the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

The drill, which took place on Thursday, involved combat vessels and flight units of the naval forces of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as Oman’s Navy, according to a report by the Public Relations Office of the Iranian Army’s Navy.

The exercise aimed to enhance combat readiness and cooperation on maritime security issues, the report said.

The drill featured Iranian destroyers, Dena and Sahand, which are domestically-produced and considered as symbols of national self-reliance in maritime defense equipment. The warships were supported by military helicopters, drones and reconnaissance aircraft that monitored the traffic of military and cargo vessels in the area.

The report said that the drill demonstrated the capabilities of both countries and their roles in ensuring the security of the world’s main energy corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, without the presence of extra-regional forces. (ILKHA)