Military exercise by U.S., Israel, Turkey makes waves

NICOSIA — The current naval exercise by Israel, Turkey and the United States is causing ripples throughout the Middle East.

Iran and several of its Arab allies have already complained of the search-and-rescue exercise. The maneuvers in the Mediterranean off the Israeli coast began on Sunday and will end on Thursday.

Teheran has condemned the exercises and said they represent a belligerent act. "Teheran believes that the marine exercises are hostile measures against the will of the world of Islam that supports the cause of the defenseless Palestinians," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

Turkey is contributing a gunship and two frigates for the Reliant Mermaid-3 exercise. The United States and Israel are contributing warships, fighter-jets and helicopters.

A Turkish military communique said the exercise is taking place off the Israeli coast. The statement said Israel is deploying three naval vessels, two aircraft and two helicopters.