The United States and Israel will hold a joint missile exercise under the name “Austere Challenge 12” a couple of days after Iran completed its naval maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States and Israel will hold a joint missile exercise under the name “Austere Challenge 12” a couple of days after Iran completed its naval maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Israeli military stated that “the exercise scenario involves notional, simulated events as well as some field training and is not in response to any real-world event.”

According to AFP, the military statement further added that "the US European Command and the Israel Defense Forces periodically conduct routine exercises in Israel. These exercises, which are part of a long-standing strategic partnership, are planned in advance and part of a routine training cycle designed to improve the interoperability of our defense systems."

Israeli media reported that the maneuvers will get underway in the spring and would be the biggest ever between the two allies.

On the other hand, Iran announced Thursday that it will hold a major military maneuver in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in February.

Press TV quoted IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi as saying that “the maneuver, 7th in a series of drills dubbed the Great Prophet, will be different compared to previous exercises held by Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.”

Fadavi also pointed out that “Islamic Republic of Iran is in full control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and monitors all moves in the area.”