Iran has begun live-fire missile exercises in and around the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional tensions just as a new round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States gets underway in Geneva.
Semi-official Iranian news agencies, including Tasnim — which is closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — reported that missiles launched from within Iran, along its coastline and nearby islands, successfully struck targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC said the drills began early Monday across the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman — strategic waterways through which nearly 20% of global oil shipments transit, making them critical to international energy markets.
Talks Restart Amid Military Signalling
The military exercises coincide with the second round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran confirmed it began discussions in Geneva with Omani mediators, maintaining that negotiations with the U.S. would remain indirect and focus strictly on nuclear issues — excluding domestic matters such as last month's crackdown on anti-government protests.
The first round of talks was held on February 6 in Oman. That meeting was also indirect, with U.S. and Iranian officials avoiding direct contact. Details of the format for Tuesday's discussions in Geneva remain unclear.
Media reports said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, leading Tehran's delegation, met with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog in Geneva ahead of the negotiations.
“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” Araghchi wrote on X. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”
US Raises Pressure
The talks come as the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that Washington could resort to force if Iran refuses to constrain its nuclear activities.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he would be involved “indirectly” in the talks and described them as “very important.”
“Typically, Iran's a very tough negotiator,” Trump said, before adding, “I would say they're bad negotiators, because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B2s in to knock out their nuclear potential.”
“I think they want to make a deal. I don't think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” he added.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Budapest, said Washington remains open to a negotiated outcome.
“I'm not going to prejudge these talks,” Rubio said. “The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things.”
Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling for the new round of discussions.
Oil Markets On Alert
The timing of the missile drills is particularly sensitive for energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most vital oil chokepoint, and any escalation in military activity there risks disrupting supply flows and increasing volatility in crude prices.
Investors will be closely watching both the outcome of the Geneva talks and developments in the Strait, where military signalling carries immediate implications for global energy security.
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