Israel, US conduct major joint military drill over Mediterranean

The Israeli and U.S. Air Forces this week conducted a significant joint military exercise over the Mediterranean Sea, in their first collaboration on this scale in two years.

Dozens of fighter jets, strategic B-52 bombers and refueling aircraft participated, simulating coordinated strikes on shared targets, Israel’s Kan News public broadcaster reported on Tuesday.

The Israel Defense Forces published details of the drill on Wednesday, along with images and video footage. As part of the exercise, Israeli F-35i and F-15i aircraft conducted a joint flight with an American B52 strategic bomber.

The IDF explained that the flight focused on practicing operational coordination between the two militaries to enhance their ability to address regional threats.

The Israeli military stated that the cooperation with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) “reflects the strategic alliance and the close relationship between the two militaries, which is continuously built and strengthened.”

The drill comes as foreign reports suggest Israel is urging the United States to take joint action against Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized collaboration with Washington to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that diplomatic efforts are faltering, leaving military action as a possibility.

Iran is bracing for an Israeli strike, with The Telegraph citing sources who claim Tehran is on high alert, strengthening defenses at undisclosed sites following recent Israeli attacks.

The Islamic Republic over the past two months conducted its “most intense military exercises in decades,” experts on regional security issues told VOA on Wednesday. The drills involved some weapons systems posing a threat to the U.S., Israel and other nations.

“The pace, intensity and publicity of the exercises is unprecedented,” Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the U.S. outlet.

Iranian regime media reported the start of the exercise on Dec. 28. A week later, they reported that the exercise, named “Great Prophet 19,” were part of Tehran’s annual “Eqtedar” (“Power”) drills involving war games with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ground forces.

Several more exercises have since followed, including IRGC and Iranian Army air defense drills. Officials also confirmed “nuclear defense drills” around facilities in Natanz, Fordow and the Arak reactor in Khondab.

In response to a VOA request for comment on the drills, the IDF stressed it “conducts continuous situational assessments to ensure preparedness for a wide range of scenarios, both defensive and offensive.”