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Iran holds naval exercise in Gulf while discussing security pact with Saudis

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Tuesday, April 17, 2001

NICOSIA — Iran is preparing to sign a security pact with Saudi Arabia as it proceeds with a major naval exercise in the Gulf.

Iranian officials said the Vahdat-80 exercise will end on Tuesday. The four-day exercise features three Iranian Kilo-class submarines in a mock naval hunt for enemy surface vessels in the Sea of Oman and in the Straits of Hormuz.

"In the first stage, submarines and other floating units of the naval forces maneuvered in the strategic strait of Hormuz," an Iranian naval statement said.

The exercise contains three stages including a test of naval weapons and a naval commando operation. The Iranian air force is also involved in Vahdat-80, one of about 40 exercises held annually by Teheran in the Gulf.

As maneuvers continued, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz held talks on late Sunday to sign a security accord with Iran. Both Iranian and Saudi officials maintained that their security agreement would increase stability in the Gulf.

Prince Nayef said the agreement scheduled to be signed on Tuesday would proceed regardless of U.S. accusations that Iran was behind the 1996 bombing that killed 19 American soldiers in the Saudi kingdom. The interior minister said Iran was not involved in the blast.

"Signing the security pact will not only benefit Saudi Arabia and Iran but also the entire region," Prince Nayef said. "Iranian security is our security."

The United Arab Emirates has relayed a message of concern to Riyad regarding the security accord with Iran. The UAE accuses Iran of occupying three islands that belong to the emirates.

The minister said that he would discuss "all security questions which concern the two countries as well as the Gulf region" during his meetings with Iranian leaders.

Tuesday, April 17, 2001

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