The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday issued a sharp warning to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), saying it “will not tolerate unsafe” actions as Tehran announced plans to conduct live-fire naval exercises next week in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, CENTCOM urged the IRGC to carry out the planned drills “in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic,” underscoring Washington’s concern about potential incidents in one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.
“CENTCOM will ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, ships, and aircraft operating in the Middle East,” the command said, adding that the United States “will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions.” It listed specific behaviors that it considers unacceptable, including overflights of U.S. military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflights of U.S. military assets when intentions are unclear, high-speed boat approaches on a collision course with U.S. vessels, or weapons being trained at U.S. forces.
The warning highlights long-standing U.S. concerns over encounters between Iranian naval units—particularly fast-attack craft operated by the IRGC Navy—and U.S. and allied forces in and around the Persian Gulf. Similar incidents in past years have raised fears of miscalculation that could rapidly escalate into a wider confrontation.
Reaffirming its position on international maritime law, CENTCOM said the Strait of Hormuz is “an international sea passage and an essential trade corridor that supports regional economic prosperity.” About one-fifth of the world’s oil consumption passes through the narrow waterway, making stability there critical for global energy markets.
At the same time, CENTCOM acknowledged “Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters,” seeking to frame its warning as a call for restraint rather than a challenge to Tehran’s sovereignty. However, the command cautioned that “any unsafe and unprofessional behavior near U.S. forces, regional partners or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation, and destabilization.”
“The U.S. military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms,” the statement said, urging the IRGC to meet the same standards.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following weeks of unrest inside Iran. Protests erupted in Tehran in late December and quickly spread to several other cities, continuing for nearly two weeks. Demonstrations were triggered by a sharp fall in the value of Iran’s currency and mounting public anger over inflation, unemployment, and the broader economic crisis.
Against this backdrop, U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that a “massive armada” of American ships was moving toward Iran, while calling on Tehran to “come to the table” for negotiations. His comments further fueled speculation about the possibility of a military standoff, even as U.S. officials insisted they were seeking to deter, not provoke, Iran.
Iranian officials have responded with warnings of their own, saying any U.S. attack would draw a “swift and comprehensive” response. At the same time, Tehran has reiterated that it remains open to talks with Washington, but only under what it describes as “fair, balanced and noncoercive terms.”
With live-fire drills now planned in the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats and military analysts say the coming days will be closely watched, as both sides attempt to project strength while avoiding a misstep that could trigger a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.
