The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has warned Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over “unsafe actions” near the Strait of Hormuz.
This warning followed the IRGC’s announcement about conducting live-fire exercises in the vital maritime corridor in early February as tensions mount between Iran and the US against the backdrop of Washington’s threats of a new military action against Tehran.
Professional Operation
CENTCOM called on the IRGC to operate in a safe and professional way during the planned exercises in the Strait of Hormuz.
“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,” CENTCOM said in a statement on Friday.
While acknowledging Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters, CENTCOM noted that the US military has “the most highly trained and lethal force in the world.”
It said that the US forces will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms, urging Iran’s IRGC to do the same.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key international shipping lane essential to the region’s economy. Roughly 100 commercial vessels transit its narrow waters daily, making it one of the world’s most active trade corridors, according to the statement.
No US Tolerance
The statement delivered a stern warning to the IRGC that the US military will not tolerate “any unsafe and unprofessional behavior near US forces, regional partners or commercial vessels” as this increases risks of collision, escalation, and destabilization.
“CENTCOM will ensure the safety of US personnel, ships, and aircraft operating in the Middle East. We 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, highspeed boat approaches on a collision course with US military vessels, or weapons trained at US forces,” it added.
Live-Fire Drills
The IRGC’s naval forces announced on Thursday it will conduct a live-fire exercise in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1-2, 2026, according to Iran’s state-run English-language Press TV.
This exercise follows live-fire naval and anti-air exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, which took place from January 27-29, 2026, reported TRT World.
Tehran issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that established a five-nautical-mile an area of military activity, effectively closing the airspace from ground level up to 25,000 feet.
The Iranian exercises coincided with a multi-day readiness exercise by the US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) across the CENTCOM area of responsibility to “demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower” in the region.
Military Showdown
The military activity in Hormuz followed the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and additional warships to the region, amid mounting US pressure on Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran over the government’s brutal crackdown on protesters, which rights groups estimate have resulted in thousands of casualties.
Subsequently, he intensified pressure on Tehran to reach a nuclear agreement, referring to the deployment as a “massive armada” heading toward Iran.
The US has deployed additional F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, along with more refueling tankers and additional Patriot and THAAD air defense systems to the Middle East, pending Trump’s final decision on a potential strike.
Iranian officials, in response, vowed strong and decisive retaliation against any military action, including targeting US forces and bases in the region, as well as striking deep inside Israel.
Moreover, the Political Deputy Commander of the IRGC Navy, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, emphasized Iran’s dominance of the Strait of Hormuz, in what appeared a threat to close the strategic waterway, according to Fars News Agency.
“Iran has real-time intelligence over the Strait of Hormuz, above and below the surface, and the security of this strategic passage depends on Tehran’s decisions. We do not want the world economy to suffer, but the Americans and their supporters will not benefit from a war they start,” he warned.
