CENTCOM warns Iran’s IRGC over Strait of Hormuz naval drills
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- US Central Command has cautioned Iran’s IRGC against "escalatory behavior" ahead of a two-day live-fire naval exercise by the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz starting Sunday.
- The warning coincides with the arrival of a "massive armada" led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, as Trump maintains threats of military intervention amid stalled negotiations and widespread protests in Iran.
In a statement released on social media platform X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has cautioned against "escalatory behavior" in the Middle East, as diplomatic and military pressures mount between the United States and Iran.
The announcement comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is conducting a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz scheduled to begin on Sunday.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 30, 2026
It also comes amid ongoing protests in Iran, renewed threats from President Donald Trump, and the deployment of additional US military assets to the region.
“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 said.
“US forces acknowledge Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters.”
“The U.S. military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms. Iran’s IRGC must do the same,” it added.
The warning follows weeks of heightened friction.
Earlier this month, President Trump publicly threatened military intervention in Iran if the country fails to negotiate curbs on its nuclear program and ballistic missiles, as nationwide protests grip the country with NGOs saying the death toll from a crack is in the tens of thousands.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump referenced a "massive Armada" heading toward Iran, specifically highlighting the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which CENTCOM confirmed has been redeployed to the Middle East.
