Iran Conducts Live-Fire Drill in Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S. Warning

Iran is conducting a two-day live-fire naval drill in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway crucial for global oil trade, while the U.S. military has warned Tehran against "unsafe and unprofessional behavior." The Strait of Hormuz, which sees a fifth of all oil traded pass through its 33-kilometer-wide corridor, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement emphasizing that any actions endangering U.S. forces, regional partners, or commercial vessels could escalate tensions. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is leading the exercises, which began Sunday and are set to conclude Monday. The U.S. has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the region, signaling a heightened military presence. The Strait of Hormuz has historically been vital for trade, and while some pipelines bypass it, most oil and gas shipments lack alternative routes. The vast majority of the energy transported through the strait is bound for Asian markets. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of its personnel and assets in the region, while Iran maintains its right to conduct military drills in international waters.