Amid tensions with Iran: US Fifth Fleet commander meets with Israeli Navy chief

Commander of the US Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral Kurt Ranshaw, concluded a visit to Israel and met with the commander of the Israeli Navy, Major General Eyal Harel, amid tensions with Iran. The sides discussed maritime cooperation, mutual coordination, and technological knowledge sharing.

Commander of the US Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral Kurt Ranshaw, concluded a visit to Israel as a guest of the commander of the Israeli Navy, Major General Eyal Harel. The visit took place amid high regional tensions with Iran, with an emphasis on the maritime arena. During the visit, Ranshaw met with the senior command of the Israeli Navy, and the sides discussed the Navy's activities during the fighting in various arenas, strengthening the partnership to maintain regional stability and the security of shipping lanes, mutual coordination, and technological knowledge sharing. The Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, has been involved in recent months in confrontations with Iran and enforcing the American naval blockade on Iranian ports. According to the report, the Israeli Navy assisted the US military in building a picture of the Strait of Hormuz, including target identification and building data for attack. In the past year, the forces conducted joint exercises simulating naval warfare, boarding and inspection of vessels, rescue and salvage, including cooperation in tightening the blockade on Iran.