Iran and Saudi Arabia will hold naval exercises in the Red Sea, in what would mark the first time the two countries – which have a long history of hostility towards each other – will collaborate in a military setting.

“Saudi Arabia has asked that we organize joint exercises in the Red Sea,” the commander of Iran’s navy, Admiral Shahram Irani, told state-controlled Iranian news agency ISNA.

“Coordination efforts are currently in progress, and delegations from both countries will engage in necessary discussions regarding the execution of the exercise,” he added.