Iran holds military drills in Strait of Hormuz on eve of Geneva talks with US
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun large-scale naval exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, just a day before a fresh round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States in Geneva.
In a statement the IRGC said the drill, titled 'Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,' is designed to test the operational readiness of its naval units and evaluate defence plans in the face of potential maritime threats. The exercise will simulate rapid-response scenarios and coordinated action against what Iran described as 'anti-security plots' in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors.
The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Any disruption in the narrow waterway can send shockwaves through international energy markets, making military activity there closely watched by global powers.
The manoeuvres come amid heightened friction between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump recently confirmed that a second American aircraft carrier would be deployed to the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln, along with accompanying destroyers, is already stationed in the region as part of a broader US military build-up.
Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi warned that any military confrontation would draw a firm response, saying hostile action against Iran would have serious consequences.
Despite the show of force, diplomatic channels remain open. Tehran and Washington are set to resume indirect nuclear talks in Geneva under mediation by Oman. The negotiations aim to revive stalled efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Tensions have escalated over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional policies, with Western governments fearing Tehran is moving closer to weapons capability — an allegation Iran consistently denies.
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