The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched extensive military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The maneuvers, named 'Intelligent Control over the Strait of Hormuz,' are taking place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Tehran's show of force comes a day before the planned second round of talks with the United States in Geneva regarding Iran's nuclear program and the strengthening of the American military presence in the region.

IRGC Exercises Commence

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has dispatched naval and air units to the Strait of Hormuz as part of the 'Intelligent Control' operation.

Diplomatic Context

The maneuvers take place a day before the second round of talks in Switzerland between representatives of Tehran and Washington.

Increase in US Forces

Two US aircraft carriers are already operating in the region: the USS Abraham Lincoln and the newly arrived USS Gerald R. Ford.

Tanker Seizure

The United States has detained a second tanker in the Indian Ocean for allegedly violating the oil trade blockade.

On Monday, February 16, 2026, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) inaugurated intensive military exercises within the Strait of Hormuz. As reported by Iranian state media, including the Tasnim agency, the operation codenamed 'Intelligent Control over the Strait of Hormuz' aims to test operational readiness to repel potential military threats and secure trade routes. The exercises involve naval units and air forces, focusing on rapid defensive response scenarios in this strategic region of the world. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important transit points, through which about 20% of global oil production flows. Since the 1980s, this region has regularly become an arena for international tensions, especially during periods of deteriorating relations between Tehran and Washington.The timing of the start of the maneuvers is not coincidental, as it coincides with a diplomatic offensive in Swiss Geneva. Already on Tuesday, delegations from Iran and the United States will sit down for the second round of talks on a nuclear agreement. Simultaneously, Washington has significantly increased its presence in the Persian Gulf by sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford with its escort to the region, joining the already operating USS Abraham Lincoln. Tehran interprets these actions as an attempt to exert pressure, to which it responds with its own demonstration of defensive potential. 20% — of the world's oil flows through the Strait of HormuzThe situation is further exacerbated by incidents on the oceans. The US Navy has intercepted a second tanker in the Indian Ocean for allegedly violating the trade blockade. In the face of such a dense network of mutual accusations and military movements, analysts point out that the maneuvers are intended to strengthen Iran's negotiating position. Although Tehran officially declares a willingness for dialogue, the exercises in Hormuz serve as a reminder of Iran's ability to paralyze global energy transport in the event of an open conflict with the West. „The maneuvers aim to prepare the IRGC for potential scenarios of response to military threats in the strategic area.” — Iranian Tasnim agency