Tehran, Iran \u2014 Iran\u2019s top naval commander has declared that the\nIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) maintains \u201cfull 24-hour\nintelligence dominance\u201d over the Strait of Hormuz, amid the conduct of\nmilitary exercises in the strategic shipping lane on Monday.<\/p>\n
IRGC Navy Chief Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said surveillance was\ncomprehensive, covering the sea surface, airspace and sub-surface\ndomains, as quoted by Iranian state media.<\/p>\n
He stated that the surveillance was aimed at ensuring safe passage\nthrough the Strait of Hormuz, which sees more than 80 oil tankers and\ncontainer ships transit daily, making it one of the busiest maritime\ntrade routes in the world.<\/p>\n
According to Tangsiri, the military exercises were taking place in\nthe Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, with islands in the region\nserving as \u201cdefence bastions\u201d under the full responsibility of the IRGC\nNavy.<\/p>\n
He explained that the drills were part of a routine annual programme,\nfocusing on tactical manoeuvres and the use of certain equipment, some\nof which has not yet been disclosed to the public. \u201cSwift and decisive\nresponse to maritime security threats is at the core of these\nexercises,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tangsiri also stated that IRGC Navy rapid response units regularly\ntrain to conduct interventions, inspections and seizures of vessels\ndeemed to be without authorisation in the waters of the Persian Gulf and\nthe Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Monday morning, the IRGC announced the commencement of\nexercises dubbed \u201cIntelligent Control of the Strait of Hormuz\u201d under the\nsupervision of IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour.<\/p>\n
The IRGC said the exercises were intended to test operational\nreadiness, security scenarios and military responses to potential\nthreats in the Strait of Hormuz region, whilst also evaluating Iran\u2019s\ngeopolitical position in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.<\/p>\n
The drills are being held amid rising tensions between Iran and the\nUnited States, following the strengthening of the US military presence\nin the region.<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday plans to deploy a\nsecond aircraft carrier to the Middle East, supplementing the USS\nAbraham Lincoln and a number of destroyers already stationed there.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Tehran and Washington are scheduled to continue\nindirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday, with Oman acting as\nmediator.<\/p>\n
The diplomacy resumed after having been suspended for nearly eight\nmonths due to military escalation triggered by Israeli strikes against\nIran.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iran-holds-military-exercises-affirms-security-of-strait-of-hormuz-1771395760", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }