Iran’s Revolutionary Guards hold coastal drills as US weighs possible military action

Iran drills escalate amid US military build-up

The ground forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted military drills along Iran’s southern coastline, state television reported on Tuesday, at a time when the United States is weighing possible air strikes against Tehran.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards — the ideological branch of the armed forces — are carrying out exercises along the southern shores of the Gulf under what state television described as the “Combined 1404 (2026) exercise of the IRGC Ground Forces”. The designation refers to the current year in both the Iranian and Gregorian calendars.

According to state media, the manoeuvres are centred on Iran’s southern coast, although similar training activities are also taking place in other regions of the country.

The exercises involve drones, naval vessels, amphibious vehicles, ground-to-sea missiles, rockets and artillery systems.

Mohammad Karami, commander of the IRGC ground forces, said “very good measures have been designed” across multiple sectors, including missiles, artillery, drones, special forces and armoured units.

He added that the drills were being conducted “based on the threats that exist”, without providing further details.

The manoeuvres come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. The United States is considering potential military action should negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme collapse.

Two rounds of Oman-mediated talks have already been held, with further discussions anticipated later this week.

Separately, the USS Gerald R. Ford — the world’s largest aircraft carrier — has arrived at the US naval base in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete and is expected to join an expanded American military presence in the Middle East.

The US already maintains more than a dozen warships in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships. It is rare for two US aircraft carriers to be deployed in the area simultaneously.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of possible strikes if it refuses to agree to a revised nuclear deal. Washington is demanding that Tehran halt uranium enrichment and rein in its ballistic missile programme and regional activities — demands that Iran has rejected.

Western governments accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear work is for peaceful purposes.

Last week, Iranian naval forces also carried out drills near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the heightened tensions in the Gulf region.

(With inputs from agencies)