US, Israeli navies conduct planned Red Sea drill

Israeli naval vessels on Sunday conducted a joint exercise with a U.S. Navy destroyer, as part of ongoing cooperation between the Israeli Navy and the U.S. 5th Fleet in the Red Sea arena.

The American destroyer docked at the port of Eilat as part of a “pre-planned, routine visit,” according to the Israel Defense Forces. The exercise “highlights the close cooperation between the two navies and the respective militaries,” the IDF stated.

The USS Delbert D. Black arrived at Eilat on Friday, as Washington continues to reposition military assets across the region amid rising tensions with Iran.

U.S. warships routinely operate in the Red Sea, though port calls in Eilat are relatively rare and typically reflect heightened coordination between the two countries.

In recent weeks, Washington has increased the movement of military assets into the Middle East, expanding both defensive and offensive capabilities.

The USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group entered the Middle East region on Monday “to promote regional security and stability,” U.S. Central Command stated.