Israeli paratroopers take part in a military exercise next to the Palmachim Airbase near the town of Rishon Lezion, on Sept 6, 2022. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)
JERUSALEM – Israel said on Wednesday that it completed large-scale exercises with the US Armed Forces that simulated strikes on the Iranian nuclear program.
The exercises simulated "various scenarios in the face of emerging threats in the region: first and foremost the Iranian threat," Israel's outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid's office said in a statement.
Iran has yet to comment on the Israel-US joint aerial exercises
The exercises began on Tuesday with joint flights of four Israeli F-35i Adir stealth fighter jets that accompanied four US F-15 fighter jets through Israel's skies, the Israeli military said in a statement.
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The Israeli Air Force also simulated "an operational scenario and long-distance flights," the military added.
Israel's Intelligence Directorate conducted "an extensive simulation that replicated a campaign against distant countries," the statement read, adding the exercises tested Israel's abilities in gathering intelligence, researching targets and making intelligence available to the operational forces.
"These exercises are a key component of the two militaries' increasing strategic cooperation in response to shared concerns in the Middle East, particularly those posed by Iran," the military said.
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Iran has yet to comment on the Israel-US joint aerial exercises.
The exercises came amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.