DID Press: US Central Command (CENTCOM) expressed concern over the upcoming naval exercise by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, urging Tehran to refrain from what it described as “unsafe and unprofessional behavior.” This warning comes just ahead of the live-fire exercise and coincides with an increased U.S. military presence in the region.
On Saturday, Jan. 31, CENTCOM issued a statement highlighting that the Strait of Hormuz is a vital international waterway for global trade, with about 100 commercial vessels passing through it daily. The statement called on the IRGC to conduct the announced exercise in a “safe and professional manner,” without endangering the freedom of navigation.
CENTCOM further warned that any unsafe actions near U.S. forces, regional partners, or commercial vessels could escalate the risk of confrontation and instability, which it stressed “will not be tolerated.”
Earlier reports from outlets like the Associated Press indicated that Iran had notified passing ships of the planned naval exercise, involving live ammunition, in the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.
The heightened tensions come as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and several other U.S. warships have entered waters near Iran, prompting analysts to consider these actions as part of a psychological operation by Washington to demonstrate its commitment to military options.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Iran will soon conduct a joint naval exercise with China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean.