The Royal Saudi Naval Forces conducted their first-ever joint naval drills with the Islamic Republic of
Iran Navy in the Sea of Oman on 24 October in what almost certainly marks a significant development
in the increasingly thawing relationship between Riyadh and Tehran. The two Middle Eastern powers
only restored diplomatic ties in 2023 following a China-brokered agreement. Saudi still officially
maintains a neutral stance concerning the war in the Middle East and is likely currently engaging with
Iran as it fears that highly likely impending Israeli retaliation strikes against Iran could trigger the
targeting of Saudi oil facilities by Iran and its proxies.