US & Israel Conduct Joint Naval Drills in Red Sea Amid Rising Tensions
- The United States and Israel conducted joint naval exercises in the Red Sea on Sunday, February 2, 2026, a move described by both nations as routine, but occurring...
- According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, the exercise was part of ongoing cooperation between the Israeli and U.S.
- Black, a destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class, is equipped for air, sea, and submarine defense, as well as precision strikes on land targets.
Joint Naval Exercise Conducts in Red Sea Amid Rising Iran Tensions
The United States and Israel conducted joint naval exercises in the Red Sea on Sunday, , a move described by both nations as routine, but occurring against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions with Iran. The drill involved the U.S. Guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black and Israeli Navy vessels, including the corvette INS Eilat.
According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, the exercise was part of ongoing cooperation between the Israeli and U.S. Navies and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Red Sea area. The deployment of the USS Delbert D. Black to Eilat underscored “the close cooperation between the two navies and the respective militaries.”
The USS Delbert D. Black, a destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class, is equipped for air, sea, and submarine defense, as well as precision strikes on land targets. It made a pre-planned port call in Eilat before participating in the exercise. Following the drill, the destroyer departed from the Israeli port.
These exercises come as tensions between the U.S. And Iran have risen in recent weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly threatened the Iranian leadership with military strikes, partly in response to the state’s crackdown on demonstrators during recent protests. Iran has, in turn, threatened counterstrikes against both Israel and the U.S. Should an attack occur.
Despite these tensions, diplomatic efforts are underway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Witkoff is also scheduled to arrive in Israel on , for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, with discussions expected to cover Iran and the situation in Gaza.
The U.S. Has significantly increased its military presence in the region since the beginning of January, including the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying ships. The Red Sea is a strategically important waterway for international commerce and maritime communications, linking the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf.
The naval exercise involved training in tactical coordination, information sharing, and protective maneuvers for vessels in transit. Participants also practiced defense against aerial and surface threats, emphasizing interoperability of systems. Such joint exercises are regularly conducted to maintain the ability to operate under a combined command in crisis scenarios.
The cooperation between the U.S. And Israeli navies has intensified in recent years, particularly following Israel’s inclusion within the area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command.