Iranian commander: Iran, Qatar to hold joint coast guard drill

The naval forces of the Islamic republic and Qatar plan to stage their first joint coast guard drill in the near future, Iran's coast guard commander said Thursday. Brigadier General Seyyed Ali Mohammed Salami announced the forthcoming drill on the sidelines of the 11th Iran-Qatar Coast Guard Cooperation Summit in the Persian Gulf island of Kish, according to Press TV. The maritime maneuvers were agreed upon during the summit, Salami said, adding that the Iranian coast guard forces have also agreed to train the Qatari side in the fight against smuggling of illicit drugs. According to the report, Iran also plans to hold a joint rescue and relief drill with Oman in the country's southern waters in March 2014. The joint exercise will be carried out in unfavorable weather and sea conditions to train the ability to carry out relief operations in such circumstances.