US and Israeli fighter jets engaged each other in mock dogfights over Israel's southern Negev desert region on Sunday as part of a wider joint exercise many believe to be tied to a looming strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

The exercise is scheduled to last for a week, and also includes simulated joint bombing runs.

Israel and the US are the only nations that have indicated they would take part in a military strike on Iran should international diplomatic efforts fail to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining the ability to build nuclear weapons.

Reuters reported that Arab media throughout the Middle East has been intensely focused on the US-Israeli exercise and the regional firestorm it may herald.