US, Belgium, France, Japan Hold Middle East Naval Drills Amid Iran Tensions
Error: Contact form not found.
by i24 News

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean Sea as it continues operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility in this April 13, 2019 photo supplied by the US Navy. Photo: US Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clint Davis / Handout via Reuters.
i24 News – The US, Belgium, France, and Japan are set to hold joint naval maneuvers in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, the US military said in a statement on Sunday.
In a press release, the US Fifth Fleet announced that the drill, dubbed Group Arabian Sea Warfare Exercise 21, will include the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, as well as various other US assets, including guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal as well as tankers and aircraft.
Joining in will be the French Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier strike group, Belgian frigate BNS Leopold I, and Japanese destroyer JS Ariake.
“Exercises like this allow participating naval forces to effectively develop the necessary skills to address threats to regional security, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce,” the US military said.
The drill comes amid soaring regional tensions with Iran, which demands that US sanctions be lifted before it reverses its violations of the 2015 nuclear accord.
The warship hold maneuvers as the maritime dimension of the long-running Israeli-Iranian hostilities came into the spotlight recently, with Israel blaming Iran for the attack on Israeli-owned vessel MV Helios Ray.
According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, Israel, for its part, had attacked at least 12 Iranian ships smuggling oil.
Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says









