Iran Conducts Naval Drills in Strait of Hormuz Amid Tense US Relations

On February 16, 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy of Iran conducted a large-scale live-fire drill, named Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz, in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The exercise was initiated a day before the resumption of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, causing an escalation in already tense relations between the two nations.

Background and Context

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil and gas shipments, links the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. The IRGC Navy exercise aimed to assess the readiness of operational units, review security plans, and rehearse scenarios for responding to potential security and military threats in the area. The duration of the drill was not specified. The exercise coincides with increased U.S. military presence in the region, including the recent deployment of an aircraft carrier.

Key Developments

The drill mobilized rapid-response battalions and deployed new missile systems to Iran’s strategic islands. It was supervised by IRGC Commander in Chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour and was reported to be under 24-hour surveillance by the IRGC intelligence unit. The drill was part of the first phase of a larger series of exercises across Iran's islands in the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military has also been active in the area. BBC Verify reported the presence of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln near Iran, and the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of War has instructed a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for possible deployment to the Middle East.

Implications and Reactions

The timing of the drill, just ahead of the second round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran in Geneva, has raised eyebrows among international observers. The U.S. and Iran are expected to explore options for reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Iran is looking “to achieve a fair and equitable deal" over its nuclear program and will not submit to threats.

On the U.S. side, President Donald Trump has stated that Iran would be foolish not to make a deal, and that Iran will not have nuclear weapons or missiles. He also shared that he had insisted to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Iran talks continue.

Current Status

As the world watches the unfolding military and diplomatic maneuvers, the outcome of the Geneva talks remains uncertain. With U.S. military forces amassing in the region, increasingly sharp rhetoric from the White House, and Iran's defiance in the face of threats, the stakes for these negotiations are high. The world waits to see if an agreement can be reached, or if the situation will escalate towards confrontation.