Why it matters:
The drill comes amid sustained U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf, including naval deployments and patrols near Iranian waters. Tehran has repeatedly criticized provocative U.S. behavior and freedom-of-navigation operations in the region. By staging a high-profile exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran appears to be signaling its readiness to respond to threats and to assert control over a critical maritime corridor at a time of heightened regional tensions.
The big picture:
Iran has invested heavily in asymmetric naval capabilities, particularly through the IRGC Navy. Its fleet of fast-attack craft and swarm boats is designed for high-speed, hit-and-run tactics in confined waters such as the Strait of Hormuz. Combined with coastal missile systems, naval mines, drones, and anti-ship capabilities, these forces form a layered offensive and deterrent strategy intended to complicate adversaries’ operations and raise the costs of direct confrontation in the Persian Gulf.
Details:
The IRGC Navy launched the exercise under the supervision of Commander-in-Chief Maj. Gen. Pakpour.
The smart control drills in Hormuz examines scenarios for reciprocal military action in response to threats, the Iranian TV said.
The Smart Control drills in Hormuz aims to assess the readiness of naval operational units.
The exercise is led by the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to Iranian statements, intelligence and operational units are practicing coordinated responses to maritime security threats.
Go deeper:
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, remains one of the world’s most sensitive energy chokepoints.
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