The U.S. military has warned Iran that it will not tolerate “unsafe and unprofessional behavior” toward American forces as Tehran prepares to carry out live-fire naval exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is expected to begin a two-day exercise on Sunday. The drills come as the United States increases its military presence in the region, with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier leading what President Donald Trump described this week as a “massive armada” heading toward Iran.
“U.S. forces acknowledge Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters,” CENTCOM said in a statement. “Any unsafe and unprofessional behavior near U.S. forces, regional partners, or commercial vessels increases the risk of collision, escalation, and destabilization.”
CENTCOM said it will act to protect U.S. personnel, ships and aircraft operating in the Middle East and warned that it would not tolerate actions such as low-altitude or armed overflights of U.S. military assets, high-speed boat maneuvers on collision courses, weapons being trained on U.S. forces, or aircraft flying over U.S. vessels during flight operations.
“The U.S. military is the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and in accordance with international norms,” the statement said. “Iran’s IRGC must do the same.”
The command emphasized the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as an international waterway and a critical global trade route. Roughly 100 merchant vessels transit the narrow strait each day, according to CENTCOM.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during a Cabinet meeting this week that the Department of War would be “prepared to deliver whatever this president expects” following renewed warnings to Iran over its nuclear program.
President Trump said Wednesday that “time is running out” for Iran to reach a deal, underscoring the administration’s increasingly confrontational posture as military activity intensifies in the region.