U.S. warship drills with israel in Red Sea as Iran tensions continue
Amid rising tensions with Iran and active U.S.–Iran diplomatic engagement, a U.S. Navy destroyer participated in a joint exercise with Israeli Navy vessels in the Red Sea, the Israel Defence Forces said on Monday.
US and Israeli naval vessels during a Red Sea exercise on Feb. 1, 2026. Photo by IDF Spokesperson/TPS-IL
The USS Delbert Black, a guided-missile destroyer, had made a pre-planned port call in Eilat before Sunday’s exercise.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Israel on Tuesday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Discussions are expected to cover Iran and the next steps regarding Gaza. Israeli authorities on Monday permitted the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, easing movement into Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump has mobilised forces for a potential strike on Iran, but Turkey will reportedly host Witkoff and Iranian officials in Ankara.
Officials in Tehran have threatened a regional war if attacked by the U.S. Iran is thought to possess around 2,000 missiles capable of reaching Israel.
Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on June 13, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. According to Israeli defence officials, Iran has developed the capacity to rapidly enrich uranium and assemble nuclear bombs, with sufficient fissile material for up to 15 weapons.
During 12 days of fighting in June 2025, the IDF said it struck hundreds of Iranian targets and killed dozens of senior regime figures, including top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the armed forces, as well as 11 Iranian nuclear scientists.
Iran launched roughly 550 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, most of which were intercepted. However, at least 31 missiles struck populated areas, and one drone hit a home. The attacks killed 28 Israelis and injured more than 3,000.
