Iran temporarily closed sections of the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for a military exercise dubbed "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz." The closure, lasting several hours, aimed to ensure safety during the drill while testing advanced weapon systems, according to reports from Iran's semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies.
The exercise featured both defensive and offensive military hardware, with precision strikes reportedly destroying designated targets. While the closure caused temporary navigation adjustments, authorities emphasized the drill's focus on maintaining maritime security in one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints.
As the conduit for 21% of global petroleum trade, the Strait of Hormuz remains vital to energy markets. Regional governments and international stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, though no commercial shipping disruptions have been reported beyond the scheduled closure window.
