Iran, Iraq Stage Joint Navy Drills

Baghdad – Iran and Iraq have staged naval maneuvers in the Arab Gulf, according to a statement by Iraqi Defense Ministry, IRNA reported.

The drills were staged on Monday on the Arvand River and at the mouth of the border river where it discharges into the Persian Gulf.

The joint war game by Iranian and Iraqi Naval forces is the second in less than a week. The two countries held their first naval drills in the same location on Thursday.

 The joint naval maneuvers are aimed at guaranteeing the security of the coastal borders and the regional waters as well as increasing the ability of the two countries to counter smuggling of narcotics and commodities and fighting pirates.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry said in its statement that some 32 Iranian and Iraqi vessels were involved in the drills.

R.S