Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, met with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia, Vice Admiral Fahad al Ghofaily, to discuss Iran over the weekend.
“Engaging and operating closely with regional counterparts is essential to maintain deterrence,” Malloy said in a statement from Central Command. "Saudi Arabia has been a key ally in promoting regional security, and Vice Admiral Gofaily’s leadership and partnership is key as we coordinate defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as all regional partners and those nations across the globe who rely on maritime commerce in and out of the Middle East."
Tehran is denying responsibility for a drone attack in September on two oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, say they were behind the massive bombings.
The Naval Command said the two vice admirals discussed the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ (RSNF) part in defending against regional Iranian aggression, and to discuss mutual efforts moving forward "to coordinate defenses against provocation and attack."
The U.S. 5th Fleet's area of operations covers 2.5 million square miles of water, including the Arabian Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean, according to Central Command, and includes critical points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
The news comes as rebels in Yemen claimed Sunday that they launched a major attack on the border of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis released videos purporting to show captive Saudi soldiers, armored vehicles with stenciled Saudi markings, arms, and ammunition, but Saudi Arabia has not acknowledged the attack.