IRGC Navy Showcases Advanced Armed Drones in Strait of Hormuz “Smart Control” Drill
Drones deployed during the naval exercise of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz—capable of striking both aerial and maritime targets—are among the force’s newest strategic assets, officials said.
The combined and mission-oriented drill, dubbed “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,” began Monday in the strategically vital waterway under the leadership of the IRGC. Its first phase was conducted on the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Sirri Island in the Persian Gulf.The exercise focused on enhancing operational readiness, strengthening deterrence, and reinforcing multilayered defense of Iran’s strategic islands, which play a decisive role in overseeing and controlling shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and the Western Strait of Hormuz.Missile units participating in the drill operationalized the latest missile systems and combat tactics under electronic warfare conditions. In this framework, cruise missiles were launched simultaneously from both shore and sea toward designated targets.Rapid reaction battalions stationed on the islands practiced advanced offensive and defensive maneuvers. IRGC naval drone and submarine units carried out operations originating from the three Iranian islands, successfully destroying pre-designated targets. Some operational details have not been disclosed for security reasons.According to officials, the armed drones used in the exercise—capable of engaging both air and sea targets—are among the IRGC Navy’s newest strategic platforms and are deployed in significant numbers, though their names and technical specifications remain classified.
The main phase of the drill is set to continue Tuesday across the Strait of Hormuz, with a focus on the “smart control” of the critical chokepoint—one of the world’s most vital energy corridors and a key factor in regional security and geopolitical dynamics.Overall, the “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz” exercise aims to boost operational preparedness, demonstrate deterrent capability, and reinforce sustainable security in the territorial and surrounding waters of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
12:16 - 17 فوریه 2026
