Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval exercise [EPA=Yonhap News] ※ Photo not directly related to the article.

Iran began military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on February 16 (local time), one day before nuclear talks with the United States, Reuters and AFP reported, citing Iranian media.

According to Iranian state TV and the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy started military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on this day.

Iranian media reported that intensive training is underway under the command of the IRGC commander, and that the exercise, named 'Intelligent Control of the Strait of Hormuz,' is intended to check the operational readiness of units against potential security and military threats.

The Strait of Hormuz, where Iran is conducting military exercises, is a strategic choke point between the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf and a global oil transport route.

These exercises are interpreted as Iran's response to the US deploying a large-scale force, including an aircraft carrier strike group, to the Middle East.

The Donald Trump administration is escalating pressure on Iran by deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East and deciding to send an additional Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group.

The United States is continuing its 'two-track' approach of applying military pressure on Iran while simultaneously engaging in dialogue through nuclear negotiations.

The US and Iran held nuclear talks in Oman on February 6 and are scheduled to continue them in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17.

Ahead of the negotiations, Iran is conducting military exercises while also engaging in diplomatic activities with entities like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to AP and other news agencies, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Geneva on this day.

Minister Araghchi posted on X, "I have come to Geneva with practical proposals to reach a fair and equitable agreement," adding, "Submission in the face of threats will not be on the table."

However, in an interview with state-run IRNA, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghai expressed hope for future negotiations, stating, "Looking cautiously at the previous meeting in Oman, we heard that the US position on the Iranian nuclear issue has moved in a more realistic direction."

Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing an anonymous Iranian official, that the US conveyed a message that the Geneva meeting would focus solely on the nuclear issue.

In previous talks, the US insisted that Iran's ballistic missile program and support for regional armed groups should also be on the agenda.

Iran has indicated its willingness to make concessions for the conclusion of negotiations if the United States engages in discussions on the lifting of sanctions regarding the nuclear talks.

Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, told BBC Persian in an interview the previous day, "The responsibility to prove our willingness to negotiate lies with the United States, and I am confident that if the US shows sincerity, we can move towards an agreement."