Iran Conducts Test of Advanced Naval Air Defense Missile in Strait of Hormuz Amid Ongoing US Military Presence

On Sunday, Iran revealed it had successfully tested a new naval air defense missile amid ongoing military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. This development comes as the United States continues to bolster its military presence in the area.

During the “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” maneuvers, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy launched the Sayyad 3-G missile, marking its debut, as reported by Mehr News Agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian state.

The Sayyad 3-G missile is a naval variant of the land-based Sayyad-3 air defense system. It boasts a range of roughly 150 kilometers (around 93 miles) and is capable of being launched from vertical systems aboard ships.

This missile is designed to target and neutralize military aircraft, maritime reconnaissance planes, and unmanned aerial vehicles operating at high altitudes.

In a related development, naval forces from Iran and Russia carried out a joint exercise, simulating the rescue of a hijacked ship, at the Port of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan, Iran, on February 19, 2026. (Image Source: Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Iranian state media said it can integrate into a ship’s onboard radar systems and command-and-control network while also maintaining independent tracking capability.

The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and a continued U.S. military buildup in the Gulf as Washington holds talks with Tehran over its nuclear program.

The U.S. currently has a significant buildup of naval and air assets positioned around Iran, particularly across the eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Naval units from Iran and Russia simulate the rescue of a hijacked vessel during joint drills at the Port of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan, Iran, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The U.S. has been building up forces in the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and multiple guided-missile destroyers operating in the Arabian Sea, as well as additional destroyers stationed in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. 

Several combat ships are also positioned in the Persian Gulf near Iran’s southern coastline.

At least one U.S. military base in Saudi Arabia is shown hosting aircraft, with additional installations across the region supporting air operations and logistics.

A graphic illustrates where the U.S. is building up military force near Iran, including the positions of the USS Abraham Lincoln, multiple destroyers, and various military bases as of Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Fox News)

Map shows where the U.S. is building up military forces near Iran. (Fox News )

In an interview Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy remains the only path forward and dismissed the impact of the U.S. military buildup. 

“There is no need for any military buildup, and military buildup cannot help it and cannot pressurize us,” he said.

Araghchi confirmed that Iranian and U.S. negotiators are expected to meet again Thursday in Geneva, saying he believes it is “quite possible” to prepare a draft text and reach a deal quickly. 

He added that talks are focused solely on nuclear issues and “there is no other subject.”