TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Iran and Oman have begun joint naval maneuvers in the South Sea and north of the Indian Ocean amid a string of high-profile incidents between Iranian and the U.S. vessels in the Persian Gulf.
The two countries will hold five-day joint rescue and relief drills in Iran's southern waters and the northern areas of the Indian Ocean.
U.S. and Iranian naval forces have encountered each other several times in the Persian Gulf. According to statistics released by the U.S., seven incidents have been reported so far this year.
Iran's navy routinely holds war games that it says are aimed at improving its readiness against threats. It also sends its warships to international waters off the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy.
Iran's navy began an annual drill in early March near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, its first major exercise since the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Iranian forces view the American presence in the Persian Gulf and specially the Strait of Hormuz as a provocation by itself. They have accused the U.S. navy of unprofessional behavior.
Iran's Navy commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told reporters on Monday that three surface vessels and one helicopter are participating in the maneuvers, which aim to establish security in the region.
The commander of Iran's First Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Hossein Azad, said an Iranian naval flotilla, comprising Sabalan destroyer, Lavan logistic warship and helicopter carrier, SH3D helicopter and Falakhan missile-equipped warships, were near the Omani coast to take part in the joint drills with the Arab country.
"It is imperative to improve security in Iran’s southern waters and the Indian Ocean given their geographical significance in maritime economy and the busy traffic of ships and oil tankers,” he said.
Sayyari also said the Iranian and Pakistani naval forces planned to hold a tactical maneuver on Tuesday.
The commander said an Iranian fleet had been also dispatched to Kazakhstan and would stage joint exercises with the country’s naval forces on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The ‘Peace and Friendship’ flotilla consists of Damavand destroyer and Peykan missile-launcher destroyer and plans to stay in Kazakhstan for three days, he added.

***The file photo shows Iran’s Sabalan destroyer.