WANA (Feb 16) – Iran has begun a new naval exercise in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, signaling both operational readiness and strategic messaging.

 

The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the start of a combined drill titled “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” in the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow maritime corridor through which a significant share of global oil exports transit.

 

According to official statements, the exercise is being conducted under the direct field supervision and operational oversight of the IRGC’s top command, led by Major General Mohammad Pakpour. The stated objectives include assessing the combat readiness of naval units, reviewing contingency and security plans, and rehearsing counter-response scenarios to potential military and security threats in the area.

 

Iranian officials emphasized the “intelligent use of the Islamic Republic’s geopolitical advantages in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman,” underscoring Tehran’s strategic position at the junction of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman—a gateway linking Gulf energy routes to the broader Indian Ocean.

 

The IRGC stated that “rapid, decisive, and comprehensive response” to what it described as anti-security plots in the maritime domain forms the core focus of the drill’s intelligence and operational exercises. In Iran’s official discourse, such language often refers to the presence and activities of extra-regional forces—particularly the United States and its allies—in nearby waters.

 

The Strait of Hormuz has repeatedly been the stage for maritime tensions in recent years, including tanker seizures and naval standoffs. In this context, the launch of the “Smart Control” drill appears to serve a dual function: reinforcing operational preparedness while delivering a calibrated strategic signal to regional and international actors.

 

Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, made the remarks on the sidelines of the first phase of the force’s naval exercise. Stressing the strategic importance of Iran’s islands, he described them as “our lifeline” and “the spiritual honor of our nation,” adding that Iran would defend these territories “to the last drop of blood.”

 

Tangsiri also stated that defensive capabilities deployed on the islands are highly precise, noting that the weapons systems in use possess “very high accuracy.” While no technical details were disclosed, the IRGC Navy in recent years has focused on expanding shore-to-sea missile systems, naval drones, and asymmetric warfare tactics designed for operations in confined maritime environments.