Iran has begun military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, amid tensions with the United States, which has sent aircraft carrier strike groups to the Persian Gulf to pressure Iran into reaching an agreement.
Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched military drills in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, 16 Feb 2026 GMT+7, just one day before their representatives are scheduled to negotiate with U.S. officials over the nuclear program.
Iranian media stated that the duration of the drills was not specified, but their purpose is to prepare IRGC forces to handle potential military and security threats in the Strait of Hormuz, following the deployment of significant U.S. naval forces to the area.
Iranian hardline politicians have repeatedly warned that if the U.S. attacks Iran, they will close the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route that transports about 20 percent of the world’s oil production.
Iranian media further reported that the drills are overseen by General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC forces, aiming to enhance the IRGC’s capability for rapid response.
These exercises come as Tehran and Washington prepare for a new round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with Oman acting as mediator.
The two longtime adversaries resumed discussions on 6 Feb in Oman, marking the first talks since diplomatic efforts stalled last June amid the Iran-Israel conflict during which Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed a large naval force to the region, describing it as a “massive battle group” to pressure Iran into an agreement, sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and escorts to the Persian Gulf in January, with plans to soon deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford.
Follow international news at:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:cna