Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is set to carry out live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1 and 2, according to Iranian state-linked reporting cited by international media.
The announcement is drawing attention because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, linking Gulf producers to global markets via the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any military activity in or around the corridor tends to sharpen market sensitivity around shipping safety, insurance costs, and potential delays.
The drills follow earlier airspace warnings issued by Iranian authorities for live-fire activity in the vicinity of the strait over January 27–29, underscoring that Iran is actively managing the area as tensions in the region remain elevated.
While Tehran has not released detailed operational specifics publicly, the timing and location of the exercises are likely to be interpreted as a signal of readiness and deterrence messaging — especially amid ongoing friction between Iran, the US, and European governments.