Iran naval ship in Saudi port

Saudi Arabia allowed Iranian naval vessels to dock at one of its ports in the Red Sea earlier this month during a training mission, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry has revealed.

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have become even more strained since October, when the United States accused two Iranians of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington. Iran denies any part in the alleged plot. Since then, Tehran has responded to new Western sanctions on its crude exports by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, the neck of the Gulf that is vital for ships carrying the region’s oil.