Sun 08 February 2026:

Saudi Arabia and the United States held a joint naval exercise in the western city of Jeddah, the country’s Defence Ministry has said.

In a statement released on Saturday evening, the ministry said the Blue Defender 26 exercise is being held at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah, without specifying its duration.

The training “aims to enhance joint military cooperation and exchange expertise,” it added.

According to the ministry, the drill included “the execution of field and tactical scenarios, during which both forces demonstrated a high level of professionalism and combat readiness, reflecting their ability to operate jointly to enhance operational capabilities and strengthen maritime security.”

The exercise comes as Riyadh and Washington have signed agreements in several fields, including defence, worth $270 billion, according to remarks by US President Donald Trump during his speech at the US-Saudi Investment Forum held in Washington in January.

Iran vows to ‘target US bases’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Saturday that Tehran will “target U.S. bases” in the region if American forces launch an attack, a report said.

The remark came after Araghchi said Friday that indirect nuclear talks with the U.S. in Oman were “a good start” and that there was a “consensus” that the negotiations would continue.

“It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region” if Iran is attacked by U.S. forces, Araghchi told Al Jazeera Saturday, according to Reuters.

“We will not attack neighboring countries; rather, we will target U.S. bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two,” he reportedly added.

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Lats week, US Navy and Saudi Arabia’s Royal Naval Forces have also concluded a bilateral naval exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability and operational readiness, US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) said.

The drill, known as Indigo Defender, is an annual exercise designed to enhance cooperation between the two militaries at both the operational and tactical levels.

““By continuing to train together, we strengthen our collective ability to support maritime security and stability in the region,” Capt. Kelley Jones, commander of Task Force 55, said.

More than 50 US servicemembers participated in the exercise, which included damage control drills, maritime engagement operations, and security team training involving personnel from the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

“The enduring partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia is exemplified by exercises like Indigo Defender,” US Consul General Rafik Mansour said. “Our collaboration with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces strengthens our security cooperation and reinforces our shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.”

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) also took part in the exercise, according to NAVCENT.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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