Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is conducting a series of large-scale military drills in Persian Gulf waters west of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic passageway to some 20% of the global oil trade.

According to the IRGC official website, Sepah News, the exercise is meant to evaluate the “operation preparedness and coordination” among different units, including naval and aerospace divisions. The latter is in charge of the bulk of Iran’s controversial missile program.

The IRGC’s deputy commander for operations and the maneuver's spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, said the impact power of ballistic and cruise missiles is practiced against aggressing vessels, mines are planted, and manned and unmanned reconnaissance capabilities are tested in the war game, while the entire operation is being monitored by Nour, the first military satellite the IRGC launched into orbit in April.

In June 2019, the same Iranian forces shot down a surveillance drone operated by the US military over Persian Gulf waters, not too far from the site of the ongoing drills. Tehran argued the aircraft had violated Iranian airspace. While dismissing the charge, the United States decided not to retaliate.