Saudi Arabia is yet to confirm Iran’s statement, despite the fact that relations between both countries are continuing to grow.

Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the joint military exercises that Iran announced with Saudi Arabia at the Red Sea.

In a Tuesday statement, the commander for the Iranian navy, Admiral Shahram Irani said that Saudi Arabia had asked them to participate in the operation.

The Iranian news agency ISNA quoted him as saying, “Saudi Arabia asked us to organize joint exercises in Red Sea.”

The coordination is in progress and the two countries are holding consultations to determine the best way to carry out the exercise.

He didn’t give any information on a possible timeframe.

Abbas Araghchi visited Riyadh in early this month, and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit was a sign that relations between the two oil producing countries are warming.

In 2016, Iran and Saudi Arabia severed relations after the kingdom executed an influential Shia cleric who was a government critic.

In response, protesters set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and relations remained icy for years.

In 2023, the two countries normalised their relations during a summit in China. Since then, they have built closer ties.

Iran continues to support the Houthis, who have fought against a Saudi-led alliance in Yemen for eight years since 2015. Since 2022, the Saudis have maintained a truce with Sanaa’s administration in Yemen.