Iran launches Strait of Hormuz drill ahead of Switzerland talks

2026-02-16 - 11:20

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a naval drill practicing the takeover of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, less than 24 hours before a scheduled meeting between Iranian and US representatives in Switzerland. According to a report by the regime affiliated Tasnim news agency, the exercise, dubbed "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz," is a "combined, live and focused" drill overseen by Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour. It is aimed at testing the readiness of the Revolutionary Guard Navy and examining military response scenarios to what were described as "possible security and military threats" in the region. #IRGC Navy has launched the "Smart Control of Strait of Hormuz" combined drill. The exercise focuses on "rapid, decisive, and comprehensive" responses to security threats. Units are testing counter-action scenarios and leveraging #Iran's geopolitical advantage in Persian Gulf. pic.twitter.com/8v5V6g7meP — Iran Nuances (@IranNuances) February 16, 2026 The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, is one of the world's most strategically vital shipping routes, through which a significant portion of global oil exports passes. Tasnim reported that the drill is designed to assess the preparedness of operational naval units, review security plans and response scenarios in the Hormuz area, and demonstrate what it called the Islamic Republic's "smart use" of its geopolitical advantages in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. "A rapid, decisive and comprehensive response by the operational forces of the Revolutionary Guard to conspiracies against security in the maritime arena is at the center of the intelligence and operational training of the units deployed in this exercise," the agency said. The maneuver comes as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington, with the meeting in Switzerland seen as potentially pivotal for future diplomatic efforts.