On Monday, Iran conducted live-fire naval exercises in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, signaling its preparedness for any potential security or military threats in the region, as reported by the state-run IRNA news agency.

The exercise, named “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,” was orchestrated by the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This operation was overseen by the IRGC Commander in Chief, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, according to information from Iran International.

State media highlighted that the primary objectives of the drill were to evaluate the readiness of operational units, review existing security strategies, and practice responses to possible security and military challenges in the area.

These naval maneuvers were initiated just hours before renewed diplomatic discussions began in Geneva between the United States and Iran, focusing on reviving talks concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, shared his thoughts on the talks via X, stating, “I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal.” He added, “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”

“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X on Monday “What is not on the table: submission before threats,” he said.

President Donald Trump has ordered a buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East and has threatened to strike Iran if its leadership does not agree to a deal on its nuclear program.

On Friday, Trump also offered an endorsement of regime change in Tehran and said it would be the “best thing that could happen” for Iran.

U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, went on to show U.S. military presence in the region Monday.

In a post on X, it shared images of EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 133 and F-35C Lightning IIs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 preparing for launch from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

“Operating in international waters in the Middle East, the aircraft carrier conducts around-the-clock flight operations in support of regional security,” the post said.

The Pentagon has been building up what Trump has described as an “armada” in the region.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is present flanked by three warships equipped with Tomahawk missiles and is at the center of a broader U.S. naval buildup in the region.

Meanwhile, Tehran said the second round of talks would be held on Tuesday “with the mediation and good offices of Oman.”

Iran carried out live drills Monday after Trump ordered military buildup in Middle East and threatened strikes if Iran doesn’t agree to nuclear deal. (Press office of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Negotiations restarted in Muscat on Feb. 6, after previous talks collapsed when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June that sparked a 12-day war and escalated tensions across the region.

On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said there was “significant and legitimate doubt that the Iranians will ever agree to something that would cause them to lay down any ambitions of nuclear weaponry.”

Trump also told reporters Monday, “I’ll be involved in those talks indirectly, and they’ll be very important, and we’ll see what can happen.” 

He added, “I would say they’re bad negotiators because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B2’s to knock out their nuclear potential. I hope they’re going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal.”