Tehran: The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on Tuesday that its forces stand ready to close the crucial Strait of Hormuz, contingent upon orders from the nation's senior leadership. This statement comes amidst a significant military drill being conducted in the strategic waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
According to Anadolu Agency, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, overseeing the military exercise, stated that the IRGC Navy is prepared to execute any directives from the leadership. The ongoing drill, named 'Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,' aims to test various security plans and scenarios in response to potential threats. Tangsiri emphasized that the weapons used in actual wartime conditions would be vastly different from those showcased in the current exercises.
The military exercise, which began on Monday, coincides with the second round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva, facilitated by Omani mediation. A military statement outlined the drill's objectives, including assessing the operational readiness of IRGC Navy units and evaluating Iran's geopolitical advantages in the region.
The context of these drills is heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, marked by the recent deployment of US aircraft carriers and bombers to the Persian Gulf. US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, further escalating the situation.
Anadolu Agency reports that during the exercise, various defensive and offensive systems were deployed, successfully destroying designated targets. Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was temporarily suspended due to the drills, highlighting the strategic importance of this global maritime chokepoint.
Rear Admiral Tangsiri also claimed that the IRGC Navy maintains constant intelligence surveillance over the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring the safe passage of more than 80 oil tankers and container ships daily. This passage is vital to global maritime trade, with a significant portion of the world's oil shipments transiting through these waters.
The military drills are taking place alongside the nuclear negotiations in Geneva, following a previous round in Muscat. The negotiations involve separate meetings with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and the exchange of messages between the Iranian and US delegations, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, along with President Trump's adviser Jared Kushner.