Israeli occupation concludes military drills in Cyprus amid tensions
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The Israeli occupation conducts military drills in Cyprus amid tensions over stalled efforts to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.
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The drills were conducted during the "Chariots of Fire" exercise which was supposed to have been held in May 2021
The Israeli occupation said that dozens of Israeli fighter jets conducted exercises over the Mediterranean and warships held Red Sea drills this week.
The drills come amid tensions over stalled efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which "Israel" staunchly opposes and has vowed to do whatever it takes to stop.
In 2018, the United States, under then-president Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew from the deal and imposed sanctions on Iran.
"Training for many scenarios"
An IOF statement on the exercises - which were conducted jointly with Cyprus - said on Wednesday that "we continuously are preparing and training for many scenarios including threats from Iran."
The statement mentioned that "dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets conducted aerial drills over the Mediterranean Sea to practice a long-range flight and striking distant targets."
It said aircraft had "simulated a long-range flight, aerial refueling, and striking distant targets" during the exercises.
The "Beyond the Horizon" drills were conducted during the "Chariots of Fire" exercise which was supposed to have been held in May 2021, but it was postponed due to the 11-day Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, the Israeli occupation said personnel from "missile ship and submarine flotillas" had completed a "complex and lengthy training drill in the Red Sea."
"This extended training drill simulated various scenarios, including achieving maritime superiority and maintaining freedom of manoeuvering in the area," navy commander-in-chief David Saar Salama was quoted as saying.
Biggest & most extensive drills
In the same context, Cyprus said it took part in part of the Israeli exercises, claiming they were not aimed against any third party.
Its Defense Ministry said the drills indicated "the excellent relations between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel in defense and security."
The Cypriot Foreign Ministry also claimed that they were "based on fictitious scenarios" and "not targeted against any other country in the region."
After a one-day visit to Cyprus, Israeli occupation Security Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that "this is the peak of one of the biggest and most extensive drills we've held in years."
