Iran, Oman hold military friendship commission, discuss boosting bilateral cooperation

Iran and Oman held their 19th joint military friendship commission meeting as they keep conducting drills and exercises to expand mutual cooperation in military fields.

News ID: 5261

Date: 15 October 2024 - 14:05

TABNAK, Oct, 15:  A delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces’ General Staff was also present in the meeting.

The Iranian delegation was led by Brigadier-General Mohammad Ahadi, Chief of Military Diplomacy and International Relations and the Omani one was headed by Brigadier Hamad bin Rashid al Balushi, Assistant SAF Chief of Staff for Operations and Planning of Oman.

The two sides discussed ways to boost bilateral military cooperation.

On October 11, Iran and Oman conducted two separate joint military exercises, as the two Persian Gulf states work to strengthen cooperation in different fields.

Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari, the commander of Iran's Army Ground Force, announced that Tehran and Muscat took part in their first-ever joint anti-terrorism exercise, which was organized at the request of the Omani army. The exercise, he said, focused on urban warfare, combating regional terrorism, ensuring sustainable security, and facilitating the exchange of experiences between the two nations.

The ground exercise took place in Oman and included rapid reaction units and the 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade from Iran, with support from the Omani Air Force and police forces.

Additionally, a joint maritime rescue operation was executed in the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz, featuring combat vessels from the naval forces of Iran’s Army and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as the Royal Navy of Oman. The drill utilized Iranian-made assets, including the Jamaran destroyer and the Zereh missile-launching ship.

Iran and Oman have traditionally held close and friendly ties. The two countries, however, have been aiming to take bigger strides in their relations in recent years, especially in terms of military cooperation.