Trending 
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route. The drills, which began on Monday, precede anticipated talks between Iran and the United States scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, with Oman serving as a mediator.
While the exact duration of the exercises remains unclear, the war games are focused on preparing the IRGC for potential security and military threats in the Strait, according to Iranian state TV.
The move follows a significant military buildup by the United States, which has deployed a large naval force to the region. The US has previously warned of its capacity to defend its interests in the Gulf.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pressing Iran for a deal, recently described the deployment of naval forces, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and the upcoming USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, as part of an “armada” meant to reinforce American presence in the region.
Iran’s hardline political figures have long warned of blocking the Strait, through which approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes. The exercises are supervised by General Mohammad Pakpour, head of the IRGC, who aims to enhance the group’s rapid response capabilities.
These exercises come on the heels of renewed diplomatic discussions between Tehran and Washington, marking the first talks since relations soured during the Iran-Israel conflict last year.
