US warns Iran against unsafe actions ahead of naval drills in Strait of Hormuz

By A Robin - January 31, 2026

Naval exercises

The US military on Friday warned Iran that it “will not tolerate unsafe” actions after Tehran announced plans to conduct live-fire naval exercises next week in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping corridor.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) urged Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out the drills “in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic.”

CENTCOM said it would ensure the safety of US personnel and assets operating in the Middle East, stressing that Washington “will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions,” including low-altitude or armed overflights of US military assets, high-speed approaches by Iranian boats on collision courses with US vessels, or weapons being trained on US forces.

Reaffirming that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and a vital trade route, CENTCOM said it recognizes Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters, but warned that unsafe behavior near US forces, regional partners, or commercial vessels could increase the risk of escalation and destabilization.

“The US military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adherence to international norms,” the statement said, calling on the IRGC to do the same.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following weeks of unrest in Iran, where protests erupted in late December over economic pressures and currency depreciation.

US President Donald Trump has said a “massive armada” of American ships was moving toward Iran and called on Tehran to enter negotiations.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have warned that any US attack would trigger a “swift and comprehensive” response, while maintaining that Iran remains open to talks only under what it describes as fair and noncoercive conditions.