Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began on Monday a navy exercise in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state media reported.

The intensive drills, named "Smart Control of Hormuz Strait" were being conducted by the IRGC naval forces, and under the supervision of the head of the IRGC, state TV reported.

The drill aimed at testing the readiness of operational forces in the face of "possible security and military threats," the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Why is the timing of the drills significant?

The exercise comes amid growing tensions with the US, both over Iran's nuclear program and its deadly response to anti-regime protests last month.

Talks between Washington and Tehran over the latter's nuclear program have recently resumed, after previous talks collapsed when Israel launched strikes on Iran in June 2025, starting a 12-day war which also saw US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

A fresh round of talks is due in Geneva on Tuesday, to be mediated by Oman.

They come after US President Donald Trump announced plans to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East late last week, as he continues to threaten to strike Iran.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz significant?

Iranian hardliners have threatened to bloc the strategic Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Washington rose.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway that lies between Oman and Iran, and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) describes it as the "world's most important oil transit chokepoint."

Large volumes of crude extracted by OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq from oil fields across the Persian Gulf region and consumed globally flow through the strait.

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru