TEHRAN (Dunya News) - Iran has simultaneously projected a dual strategy of diplomacy and deterrence, launching new naval exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz while its top diplomat engaged in nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva.
On Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began exercises under the banner of “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,” state media reported.
The manoeuvres, overseen by IRGC commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour, are designed to assess the operational readiness of the Guard’s naval units and test plans for rapid military responses to potential security threats in the Strait of Hormuz.
The exercises also aim to reinforce Iran’s ability to leverage its geographical and strategic position in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
The drills come amid heightened regional tensions, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of additional military deployments, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East.
The move reflects Washington’s continued military pressure on Tehran even as diplomatic channels remain open.
The exercises unfolded alongside renewed diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva to hold indirect negotiations with US representatives, mediated by Oman, marking the second round of talks this month.
Araghchi also met International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi, a significant development after months of strained cooperation over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Central to the discussions is the status of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which the IAEA has been unable to verify since last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Western powers fear that the 60 percent enriched uranium could potentially be weaponised, an allegation Tehran denies, insisting its programme is strictly for peaceful purposes.
Despite rising tensions, Iranian officials have indicated conditional flexibility.
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that Tehran could consider compromises if crippling sanctions were lifted, adding, “The ball is in America’s court. They have to prove they want to have a deal with us.”
The parallel tracks of diplomacy and military exercises underscore a familiar pattern in US-Iran relations: negotiations advancing under the persistent shadow of strategic pressure.
With naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear talks in Geneva occurring simultaneously, the situation highlights the delicate balance Tehran and Washington are attempting to maintain between escalation and engagement in one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive regions.