Iran announced that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy will conduct live-fire exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit.
The order for drills follows heightened diplomatic friction with the U.S. and its allies, including controversial designations of Iranian military units and threats of further punitive actions. Tehran says the exercises are routine and essential for regional security, but foreign governments see them as a provocative signal amid broader standoffs.
International energy markets have reacted nervously, with oil futures showing volatility in response to potential disruptions in Middle Eastern supply lines. Shipping firms have reportedly rerouted some vessels to avoid concentrated naval activities.
Diplomats are pressing for de-escalation, warning that prolonged tensions around key maritime routes could not only affect global energy prices but also risk military confrontations.
