 WASHINGTON - The United States will lead international naval manoeuvres in the Gulf off IranÂ’s west coast beginning Monday aimed at fighting weapons proliferation, a US State Department official said. Australia, Bahrain, Britain, France, Italy and the United States will participate in the exercises that will simulate inspection of ships carrying illicit weapons-related materials, the official said. Another 19 countries in the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) will take a minor part in the exercise.
There have been 24 PSI exercises since US President George W. Bush launched the initiative in May 2003, but it will be the first time an exercise is conducted in the Gulf and the first time countries in the Middle East will participate.
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In addition to Bahrain’s active role, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will send observers to the mission. “This is an exercise that will test our capacity to intercept illicit traffic,” said Robert Joseph, US under secretary of state for arms control and international security.
The exercise will practice interdicting a “target vessel carrying materials useful to a nuclear weapon program,” destined for a “country of proliferation concern in the region,” a State Department official explained.
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Joseph said the US knows from Iranian news reports that “the exercise got the attention of Iran.” However, a US official insisted that the joint manoeuvres were planned months ago and not timed with the new pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
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