Day: February 16, 2026

The drill, dubbed the “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz,” involves the IRGC’s naval forces and is being conducted under the supervision, control and field monitoring of IRGC’s Chief Commander Mohammad Pakpour, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.
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Among the main objectives of the drill are assessing the readiness of the IRGC Navy’s operational units, reviewing and practicing the IRGC’s security plans and scenarios of military counteractions in the face of potential security and military threats in the Strait of Hormuz, and intelligently exploiting Iran’s geopolitical advantages in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, the statement said.
“The intelligence and operational exercises of the units involved in the drill center on the rapid, decisive, and comprehensive response of the IRGC’s operational forces to anti-security plots in the maritime arena,” it added.
The development comes amid simmering tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as a U.S. military buildup in the West Asia region, despite that delegations from Tehran and Washington are scheduled to hold a second round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the agreement, together with a sanctions-related exemption granted by the U.S. administration, would strengthen Hungary’s energy security and support its ability to provide competitively priced energy for households and industry, News.az reports, citing Telegraph.
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He said Hungary maintains an open and transparent approach with its partners, including the United States, and that any concerns can be addressed through direct dialogue.
Rubio said the nuclear agreement followed discussions held during a November meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Orban at the White House. He also confirmed that Washington had suspended certain sanctions measures affecting Hungary, allowing further progress in bilateral energy cooperation.

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