On February 16, 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated naval drills in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the United States set for February 17 in Geneva. The exercise, named 'Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,' is aimed at testing operational readiness against potential military threats. General Mohammad Pakpour, the IRGC's commander, oversaw the drills, which included live-fire exercises and the deployment of naval units. This military posturing comes amid heightened tensions, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing skepticism about reaching a deal, stating, "It will be hard to make a deal with Iran" (Geo World). The U.S. has also ramped up its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln and a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the area, creating a significant naval force near Iran (WION).