Military maneuvers led by the Israeli Navy ended in the Mediterranean, with the participation of the United States and Greece, while Washington announced that it was closely following the recent developments in the region and the Turkish-European initiatives to solve the crisis.

The exercises included training in the use of the anti-submarine threat system, search and rescue operations and simulated warfare between military ships and frigates.

France and Cyprus joined it, for the first time.

An Israeli military source denied that the maneuvers were directed against Turkey, and said that Egypt would soon participate as an observer in naval maneuvers in the Mediterranean scheduled on the list of Israeli naval exercises for the current year.

For his part, Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adrai said in tweets on Twitter that the exercise, which is held annually and named "Nofal Dina", lasted for a week, and took place in western Cyprus with the participation of various naval vessels and helicopters.

An Israeli army spokesman explained that during the exercise, training was carried out on the use of an anti-submarine system, search and rescue and simulated warfare between ships.

The aim of the maneuver, which is held every year, is to enhance cooperation between fleets and deepen professional knowledge, as it strengthened the strength of joint cooperation and knowledge between the maritime fleets of the participating countries and the language of the same transaction.

It is worth noting that the maneuver was previously defined in the 2021 training plan pic.twitter.com/wEi9RR0FQ4

- Avichai Adraee (@AvichayAdraee) March 12, 2021

Blinken's statements

In the context, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken revealed that his country is closely following the recent developments in the eastern Mediterranean region, and the recent Turkish-European initiatives to resolve crises and conflicts in that region.

During his testimony before the House Foreign Relations Committee, in which he talked about the foreign policy priorities of the President's administration, Joe Biden, Blinken said that they were "concerned" about some Turkish moves in the eastern Mediterranean during the past period.

The minister considered that Ankara in some cases "carried out provocative actions against Greece," noting that the problems in that region can only be solved through diplomatic means.

He also explained that during recent weeks there have been positive developments regarding the eastern Mediterranean, adding, "It is clear that tension has begun to decrease in the region in light of Turkey's communication with the European Union and some other countries regarding taking more positive steps."

The conflict has raged for several months over natural gas between Turkey and Greece, both of which are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and last year the conflict almost escalated militarily.