Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, coinciding with preparations for renewed talks with the United States aimed at de-escalating tensions, according to Iranian state television.
The maneuvers, taking place in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman under the supervision of IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour, are intended to prepare the force for “potential security and military threats” in the vital waterway, which handles approximately 20% of the world’s oil production. The timing of the exercises comes as Washington maintains a significant naval presence in the Gulf, including the deployment of multiple aircraft carriers.
The exercises precede a novel round of negotiations scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman. The talks represent a resumption of dialogue initiated on February 6th in Muscat, Oman, as both countries seek to avoid military confrontation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a series of warnings following a crackdown on widespread protests in Iran in January, while simultaneously leaving open the possibility of a diplomatic resolution, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program. “What is not on the table: submission in the face of threats,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Monday on X, adding that he was in Geneva “with real ideas to reach a just and equitable agreement.” Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for “in-depth technical discussions,” according to a post on Grossi’s X account.
Inspectors from the IAEA have yet to gain access to nuclear sites targeted in Israeli-American strikes in June 2025, which abruptly halted previous negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, are “en route” to Geneva, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who made the announcement during a visit to Hungary. “We’ll see what happens. We hope there will be an agreement,” Rubio added.
Western nations and Israel suspect Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities, a claim Tehran denies, asserting its right to develop a civilian nuclear program.
Without a resolution, President Trump has threatened Iran with “traumatic” consequences and even openly discussed the possibility of regime change on Friday.
Demonstrations against the Iranian government took place Sunday, with residents of Tehran chanting anti-government slogans from windows and rooftops, following large rallies abroad by Iranians living outside the country.
The U.S. Has bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln in January and preparing to add the USS Gerald Ford, though a firm arrival date remains unspecified.
The United States and Iran hold differing views on the scope of the upcoming discussions. Iran insists on focusing solely on its nuclear program, while Washington, alongside Israel, demands limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile program and an end to its support for regional armed groups. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that Iran is prepared to compromise on its stock of highly enriched uranium if the U.S. Lifts sanctions impacting the Iranian economy. Prior to the 12-day conflict in June 2025, Iran was enriching uranium to 60%, nearing the 90% level required for nuclear weapons production.
