Iran’s military denies plans for exercises in Strait of Hormuz after US warning

In a statement, US Central Command cautioned Tehran to ensure any activity in the strait did not threaten maritime traffic or regional stability.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A report that Iran planned live-fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz was firmly denied Sunday by an Iranian official, who said the exercise had never been scheduled despite earlier state media claims, as US forces warned against actions that could endanger shipping or escalate tensions.

“There was no plan for the Guards to hold military exercises there, and there was no official announcement about it. Only media reports, which were wrong,” the official told Reuters, rejecting a Thursday Press TV report that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy would conduct drills on Sunday and Monday.

The US military had already responded to those reports on Friday. In a statement, US Central Command cautioned Tehran to ensure any activity in the strait did not threaten maritime traffic or regional stability.

“US Central Command (CENTCOM) urges the IRGC to conduct the announced naval exercise in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic,” the statement read. “The Strait of Hormuz is an international sea passage and an essential trade corridor that supports regional economic prosperity.”

CENTCOM further warned that “any unsafe and unprofessional behavior near US forces, regional partners or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation and destabilization.”

It added that the US “will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions including overflight of US military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflight of US military assets when intentions are unclear, high-speed boat approaches on a collision course with US military vessels, or weapons trained at US forces.”

At the same time, President Donald Trump indicated that diplomatic channels remain active. He told reporters that Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington and said, “I hope they negotiate something acceptable. You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a defiant tone, saying, “We are not the initiators and do not want to attack any country, but the Iranian nation will strike a strong blow against anyone who attacks and harasses them.”

The US Navy has six destroyers, one aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships positioned in the region, increasing the potential for friction following Iran’s deadly crackdown in January on nationwide protests