Oman and Iran held joint naval and land forces drills on Thursday, aiming to enhance combat preparedness of the neighbours who share a maritime border along the Gulf of Oman.
The exercises come at a time when Iran is expecting what experts say could be a massive Israeli attack. Israel is expected to retaliate after an Iranian ballistic missile strike on October 1, involving 180 missiles, which damaged Nevatim, a strategically important Israeli air base.
A counter attack now would likely involve air strikes. But it could also come from the sea, due to Israel's cruise missile carrying Dolphin Class submarines. Amid Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where Iran supports Hamas and Hezbollah, the two countries have increasingly attacked each other directly. Israel killed two senior Iranian generals at Iran's Damascus embassy on April 1, sparking the first round of direct Iranian strikes.
The latest naval drills were held “to improve combat readiness and implement agreements related to maritime security scenarios,” Mehr news reported. The Jamaran destroyer “along with other surface combat units of the IRGC Navy” took part in the exercises, the goverment-linked outlet in Iran said.
The Jamaran, a small class of warship known as a corvette, was recently moored at Sultan Qaboos port, according to Tehran Times. The ship, built in 2010 with a crew of about 140, is one of Iran’s more advanced warships, able to carry torpedoes, powerful C-802 anti-ship missiles, drones and a helicopter.
The vessel has frequently patrolled the Arabian Sea during the current regional crisis, following the eruption of the Israel-Gaza war last year. The Jamaran was joined by the Zereh missile boat, a fast attack vessel with a crew of 31, the official IRNA news agency said.
The US has accused the Jamaran of failing to respond to a Ukrainian fishing vessel in distress in the Red Sea after it was struck with a Houthi missile. No Omani vessel was named in the naval drills.
Land exercises involved Omani helicopter-borne paratroops in an operation dubbed “Mountain Falcons 1”. The Times of Oman showed an army NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter flying over the mountains in an undisclosed location.
On the Iran side, X account Iran Defence spotted Iranian paratroopers from the 65th brigade also taking part in the exercise. Video from the drills appears to show soldiers clearing an urban area of mock enemy fighters. Iran said the exercises involved counterterrorism training.
Iran Defence observed that the 65th “previously fought in Oman during the Dhofar war in the 1960-70s, under the previous name of the 23rd brigade," meaning that the unit was part of a coalition involving Britain during Iran's pre-revolution Shah-era.
The exercises were among several held involving both forces in recent months. In November, joint naval drills were held, including ships from the IRGC’s navy.
Last year, Oman held naval exercises with ships and aircraft from the US Central Command, the US' regional military headquarters.
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"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
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The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
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SPEC SHEET
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Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR
Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps
Audio: Stereo speakers
Biometrics: Touch ID
I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)
Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular
Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue
Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
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Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
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