DUBAI: Naval forces from more than 30 countries were yesterday engaged in a massive minesweeping exercise in the Gulf, US officials said, amid Iranian threats to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The US-led International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX), the first of its kind in the Middle East, comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The exercise kicked off on Sunday, the same day as the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of retaliation against the Strait of Hormuz, Israel and nearby US bases if his country is attacked.

US defense officials insist the exercise is not aimed at Iran or any one country, but is simply designed to hone counter-mine capabilities among allies and partners.

“This (exercise) is not being conducted in response to any particular threat or any specific situation,” Lt Greg Raelson of the US Fifth fleet in Bahrain said yesterday.

“This exercise uses a scenario based on a violent extremist organization to prepare for the possibility...(they) may use mines or a seaborne improvised explosive device to disrupt freedom of navigation,” he added.

US Vice Admiral John Miller, the head of the US Naval Forces in the wider Gulf region, echoed his comments. “This exercise is about mines and the international effort to clear them,” he said in a statement.

Analysts however argue that the anti-mine maneuvers are designed to counter Iran's escalating threats to block the strategic straits. This is “a message to all parties in the region: to the allies and Iran, that the US is ready to defend their common interests, keep the straits and maritime routes open and respond to any attacks against its bases in the region” said Riad Kahwaji, of the Institute for near East and Gulf military analysis in Dubai.

More than 500 ships, 60 percent of which are energy carriers, pass through the Straits every week, a strategic chokepoint that connects the Arabian Gulf, and some of the world's top oil producing nations to the rest of the world.

“This is a vital region where sea lanes and resources and international interests all intersect,” said Raelson. “Defending these interests against a sea mine attack is really a core mission of navy mine warfare... and this exercise is an effort to decrease the international threat of mining and to enhance our combined capabilities to provide long-term stability and security.”

The maneuvers will last through Sept. 27 and involve more than 30 nations including the US, UK, Japan, France, Yemen and Jordan.

Raelson said no manoeuvres “at all” will take place in the actual Strait of Hormuz, adding that a variety of anti-mine techniques will be practiced, including “mine-hunting operations, helicopter mine countermeasures operations, dive operations, small boat exercises and international cross platform refueling training.”