The US Navy kicked off International Maritime Exercise 2025 (IMX 25) in the Middle East on February 10 to reaffirm its commitment to enforcing freedom of navigation, the free flow of commerce and regional security.

IMX25, a 12-day naval training event hosted by US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), began in Bahrain and Jordan.

It started with academic discussions on topics including the naval planning process, maritime operations center procedures, and disaster response coordination, the US Navy said in a statement.

The operational phase of the drill covers partner exchanges on mine and countermeasures; visit, board, search and seizure; unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration; and explosive ordnance disposal, it said.

It also covers vessel defense; search and rescue; and mass casualty response, among other focus areas.

This year's IMX is linked with exercise Cutlass Express -- led by US Naval Forces Europe-Africa -- highlighting the transregional and transnational nature of the many challenges threatening stability throughout the region.

Cutlass Express is designed to enhance regional maritime awareness and the combined capabilities of partner nations to respond to maritime threats.

The two drills will be sharing information between maritime operations centers to strengthen theater-to-theater coordination and US and partner nation capabilities and interoperability.

More than 5,000 personnel from more than 35 nations and international organizations are participating in the two exercises.

Freedom of navigation

As the United States continues to work with coalition partners as equals to address challenges that threaten mutual interests, it remains the partner of choice for supporting regional stability and countering malign actors.

IMX25 is the ninth iteration of the exercise since its establishment in 2012.

It is designed to demonstrate global resolve in preserving the rules-based international order and offers a unique opportunity for participants to collaborate and showcase regional maritime security cooperation.

"Exercises like IMX show that we are at our best when we work together and that our resolve is unwavering,” NAVCENT vice commander US Navy Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer said at the exercise's opening ceremony.

"The Middle East region is a critical crossroads for worldwide commerce and trade. IMX is our combined assurance that the potential for economic success is greatest when international waterways are safe and open for all."