File image.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) kicked off on February 16 drills in the strategic Hormuz Strait, a day prior to renewed nuclear talks with the United States.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the combined, live, and targeted “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” drills will be conducted by the IRGC Navy under the supervision, control, and field monitoring of the guard’s Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour.
The main objectives of the war game include assessing the operational readiness of the IRGC Navy, reviewing support plans and scenarios for reciprocal military action by the the guards in the face of potential security and military threats in the Strait of Hormuz, and making intelligent use of the geopolitical advantages of Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, according to the news agency.
The drills take place as Tehran and Washington ready for a new round of talks in Geneva on February 17, mediated by Oman.
The two countries resumed discussions on February 6 in the Omani capital of Muscat, their first since diplomacy broke down last June during the 12-day war, which saw Israel and the United States strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
In recent weeks, the U.S. amassed a large naval force in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group. A second carrier strike group led by the the USS Gerald R. Ford is right now on its way to the region.
Recent reports indicate that the U.S. is preparing for sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran, if no agreement is reached.
The previous round of talks was limited to the nuclear issue, and the upcoming round will be the same. The U.S. and Israel have, however, repeatedly called for discussing the Islamic Republic’s missile program and regional influence. Tehran has so far refused. This goes to show that both sides are so far apart.
Iran has vowed to respond to any attack by the U.S., going as far as threatening to close the Hormuz Strait more than once.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial to the global energy market. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas transit through this narrow waterway.
The Islamic Republic has the means to shut down the strategic waterway. Iranian naval forces deploy mines, launch anti-ship missiles from coastal defenses and speedboats, raid vessels from helicopters and even send its submarines on hunt-and-kill missions.
The closure of the strait would have a devastating impact on the global energy market. Iran itself would be among the most affected. Nevertheless, in case of an all-out war with the U.S. and Israel, this would not be the worst option for Tehran.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
remote work isn’t just a trend, it’s the future of work. qs work remotely from your own house. we just want your typing skills, you can make more than 120usd/hr. no matter where you are. let’s grow together and do great things, even if we’re far apart…
take a look……… https://psee.io/8qjgv8
remote work isn’t just a trend, it’s the future of work. qs work remotely from your own house. we just want your typing skills, you can make more than 120usd/hr. no matter where you are. let’s grow together and do great things, even if we’re far apart…
take a look…… https://www.findjobs1.site
americunts are inferior ugly coward species
even when you point out mutiple times the unnecessary vulgarity of their comments they just keep doing it. imo this is proof it’s done just to degrade the comments section and turn people away from sf.
hence just ignore them, and be aware of their strategy. and call them out each time to alert other readers. then question who might want to do this. expose them.
make extra profit every week… this is a great part-time job for everyone… best part about it is that you can work from your home and earn from 100-2000 dollars each week … start today and have your first payment at the end of the week..
.…………………………… https://psee.io/8qk8bj
remote work isn’t just a trend, it’s the future of work. qs work remotely from your own house. we just want your typing skills, you can make more than 120usd/hr. no matter where you are. let’s grow together and do great things, even if we’re far apart…
take a look…… https://www.findjobs1.site
practice makes perfect. 20% of the worlds oil traffic is controlled by iran. globalist sociopaths must control all energy. a fools errand
in western media it’s now alright to demand the sinking of the so-called “russian shadow fleet”. just think how stupid that notion is given the closure of hormuz strait when every little drop of oil would be all too valuable. in that case you’d beg russian tankers to stop by instead of trying to play big-boy, actually starving.
anyone on s-f see this headline “epstein’s zorro ranch: now owned by trump political ally, don huffines” – the ranch was never searched—n.m. land commissioner seeks probe into allegation of two girls buried near epstein ranch…
given the stakes and players involved after this latest revelation and the devastating impact it will have on western markets both in the short and long term… i’d say iran can expect something very soon. my question is -why wait for them to make their first move -especially when morale in the u.$. military is this low???