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In a show of military might, Iran conducted live missile tests in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday as part of naval exercises, as reported by media outlets linked to the Iranian state. These maneuvers highlight Iran’s readiness to potentially close this crucial maritime passage if instructed by its leadership.
These military exercises coincide with diplomatic efforts, as President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, engage in a second round of nuclear discussions with high-ranking Iranian officials in Geneva.
According to Tasnim News Agency, which has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the IRGC Navy, expressed Iran’s preparedness to block the strait, a key route for global oil shipments, if necessary.
During the “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” drills, reported by Tasnim, the strait’s shipping traffic was halted for several hours. The exercises featured missile launches from various platforms, including ships, coastal areas, and inland locations, alongside drone operations conducted under conditions designed to disrupt electronic signals.
The “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” exercise saw Iranian military forces actively participating in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on February 16, 2026. This event was captured by the Press Office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and distributed through Anadolu via Getty Images.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) previously urged the IRGC in late January to carry out its announced two-day live-fire naval exercise “in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic.”
“U.S. forces acknowledge Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters. Any unsafe and unprofessional behavior near U.S. forces, regional partners or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation, and destabilization,” it said.
Iranian military personnel take part in the “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” exercise in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 16, 2026. (Press Office Of The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Trump administration has built up a large military presence in the Middle East as talks over Iran’s nuclear program continue, with U.S. officials signaling that any potential agreement would need to go beyond enrichment and address broader security concerns.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in February that for negotiations to be “meaningful,” they would need to address Iran’s ballistic missiles, its sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region, its nuclear program and its treatment of its own people.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday that he would be involved in the talks “indirectly.”
“They’ll be very important and we’ll see what can happen. It’s been – typically Iran’s a very tough negotiator. They’re good negotiators or bad. I would say they’re bad negotiators because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2’s in to knock out their nuclear potential,” he said. “And we had to send the B-2’s. I hope they’re going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal.”