On February 17, 2026, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took the rare and "perhaps unprecedented" step of temporarily closing parts of the Strait of Hormuz. This move coincided exactly with the second round of high-stakes indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the Trump administration in Geneva.
The "Smart Control" Exercise (2026):
Tactical Focus: The drill, dubbed "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz," tested the IRGC's ability to monitor and restrict the waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil passes.
Weaponry Tested: Iranian forces deployed fast-attack craft, drones, and live missile tests, including the Sayyad 3F surface-to-air missile with a 150km range.
The "Reciprocal" Warning: Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri warned that weapons used in actual war would be "entirely different" from those displayed, signaling readiness for "reciprocal" military action against U.S. threats.
The Geopolitical Chessboard:
While Russia and China participated in the concurrent "Maritime Security Belt 2026" to build a "multipolar world order", the U.S. has bolstered its presence with the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald Ford carrier strike groups. Despite the military posturing, negotiators in Geneva reported "good progress" on technical issues, though Supreme Leader Khamenei warned that U.S. warships could still be "slapped so hard they cannot get up".
Impact on Global Energy:
The brief closure sent shockwaves through energy markets, as any sustained disruption in Hormuz could potentially spike oil prices by 50–100%. We analyze whether this is a bluff or a legitimate preview of the next global energy crisis.
