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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