Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill took place a day before renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
The drill, named “Smart Control of Hormuz Strait”, was conducted in the strategic waterway through which roughly 20% of global oil shipments pass, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The exercise was organised to assess the preparedness of operational forces in the face of “possible security and military threats”, the report said.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, linking Gulf oil producers to international markets. Any disruption to shipping there can have immediate effects on global energy prices and supply chains.
The manoeuvres took place as Iranian and U.S. officials prepared to resume talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. While Iranian authorities did not directly link the drill to the negotiations, the timing underscores ongoing regional tensions and Tehran’s emphasis on safeguarding its maritime interests.
Iran has previously staged similar exercises in and around the Strait during periods of heightened friction with Western powers.
The Revolutionary Guards navy, which operates alongside Iran’s regular navy, plays a central role in patrols and security operations in the Gulf waters.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence says its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others in Nuristan after armed groups, including alleged...
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical ...
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering t...
Iran has called for a diplomatic solution after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected its Hormuz proposal, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a definitive U.S. response through mediators.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Six people have died after a two-storey residential building in a tourist area of central Athens collapsed, the Greek fire brigade said on Saturday (26 September), following an explosion that the mayor said was likely linked to gas infrastructure.
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical defence gaps and strengthen its ability to respond to security threats.
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering tariffs, agriculture, coal, finance, aviation and artificial intelligence.
The European Union is considering targeted accession roadmaps for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, offering clearer reform priorities and timelines as Brussels looks to speed up enlargement.
A decade ago, a far-right party winning a major Western European election would have caused a political shock. Today, such results are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s political landscape.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment