The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement urging Iran to keep its planned naval exercise safe and professional on Friday.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be conducting a live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, scheduled to begin on Sunday and to last two days, Iran announced on Thursday.
CENTCOM's statement, while acknowledging "Iran’s right to operate professionally in international airspace and waters," warned against any unsafe or threatening behaviors conducted in the international sea passage.
Threatening behavior will not be tolerated
CENTCOM emphasized that any action that poses a danger to US personnel, ships, or aircraft would not be tolerated, including overflight of US military vessels engaged in flight operations, low altitude or armed overflight of US military assets with unclear intentions, high-speed boat approaches towards US military vessels, or weapons trained at US forces.
"The US military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms. Iran’s IRGC must do the same," the statement concluded.