Major U.S.-led drill under way in Middle East

DUBAI The "largest-ever" international naval exercise in the Middle East, led by the U.S. military, has been launched in the Persian Gulf. The main goal is to "improve operations of detecting and removing mines", according to U.S. military officials. Major U.S.-led drill under way in Middle East According to reports, the drill includes battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines. The U.S. military says it is the largest international maritime exercise ever held in the Middle East - and it is taking place at a time of rising tensions because of the disputed Iranian nuclear program, Reuters reported. 40 percent of the world supply of oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to block over the economic sanctions imposed against it. Iran also previously said it would target U.S. military bases in the region if attacked. The Central Command U.S. Naval Forces announced that the exercise launched on Monday involved ships and officials "from 30 countries from six continents". The military exercise in the Persian Gulf will last for 12 days. Tanjug

Major U.S.-led drill under way in Middle East

According to reports, the drill includes battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines.

The U.S. military says it is the largest international maritime exercise ever held in the Middle East - and it is taking place at a time of rising tensions because of the disputed Iranian nuclear program, Reuters reported.

40 percent of the world supply of oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to block over the economic sanctions imposed against it.

Iran also previously said it would target U.S. military bases in the region if attacked.

The Central Command U.S. Naval Forces announced that the exercise launched on Monday involved ships and officials "from 30 countries from six continents".

The military exercise in the Persian Gulf will last for 12 days.