srael and the United States 5th Fleet launched coordinated naval drills on December 7, 2025, immediately following Iranian Revolutionary Guard exercises in the Persian Gulf that featured long-range missile launches and warnings to American vessels.
The weeklong “Intrinsic Defender” exercise underscores the persistent volatility in the region and demonstrates joint operational readiness six months after the June 2025 Israel-Iran war, during which the US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Exercise
The “Intrinsic Defender” exercise began December 7 with dozens of personnel from the Israeli Navy and US Navy 5th Fleet conducting coordinated maritime maneuvers off Israel’s coast.
The IDF stated the drills aim to “strengthen strategic and operational cooperation between the two naval forces, and practice responses to various regional threats” throughout the week.
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees American operations in the Middle East, has participated in joint drills with Israel since 2022. The fleet typically deploys a mix of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, guided-missile cruisers, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and patrol ships, providing power projection, maritime security, and air defense capabilities across the region.
Iran’s Naval Activity
The US-Israel exercise followed a two-day IRGC naval drill in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Sea of Oman that concluded December 6, 2025.
Iran fired Qadr-110, Qadr-380, and Ghadir cruise missiles—with ranges up to 2,000 kilometers—plus 303 ballistic missiles at simulated targets in the Gulf of Oman. Drones simultaneously struck simulated enemy bases during the exercises.
IRGC units issued warnings to foreign ships during the maneuvers, and Iranian officials warned the US to stay away from the naval war drills. Tehran described the exercises as a “display of active presence” aimed at demonstrating its maritime capabilities.
Strategic Context
The drills come six months after the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025, during which the US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities. The conflict killed nearly 1,100 people in Iran, including military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the June war allowed Tehran to “close many security gaps” and provided “valuable experience” by revealing weaknesses.
By demonstrating joint operational capability, Israel and the US aim to signal unity and readiness while preparing for potential confrontations with Tehran’s expanding missile and naval capabilities. Meanwhile, Iran’s ongoing missile development and naval exercises suggest Tehran continues to assert its presence and maintain a credible deterrent posture in the region.
Bottom Line
The sequential timing—Iran concluding drills December 6, US-Israel launching exercises December 7—demonstrates the action-reaction dynamic in the region. With both sides conducting live-fire exercises in strategic waterways and neither backing down from demonstrating military capability, maritime security remains a flashpoint for potential escalation in the months ahead.
