Iran Live-Fire Drills Heighten Tensions Near Strait of Hormuz

News Desk 

Islamabad: Iran has issued an air navigation warning restricting flights near the Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over aviation safety and commercial disruption in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors as US military forces increase their presence in the Middle East.

The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), published Tuesday, warns of live-fire military exercises by Iranian forces from 27 to 29 January within a five-nautical-mile radius of the strait. 

Airspace from ground level up to 25,000 feet will be classified as hazardous during the drills, affecting both civil and military aircraft transiting the region.

Aviation experts say such restrictions, while not unusual during military exercises, take on added significance given the Strait of Hormuz’s role as a global trade chokepoint. 

Roughly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway each day, and any perception of instability often triggers heightened alert levels among airlines, insurers and energy markets.

The Iranian warning comes as the United States steps up military activity across the region. US Air Forces Central Command has launched a multi-day readiness exercise aimed at demonstrating rapid deployment and sustainment capabilities, while senior US officials reiterate that “all options remain on the table” in dealing with Tehran.

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In parallel, the US Navy has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers into the Middle East, crossing from the Asia-Pacific earlier this month. Additional fighter aircraft and air-defence systems are also being repositioned, according to the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump, speaking publicly, described the deployment as a “beautiful armada” moving toward Iran, adding that he hoped Tehran would agree to a deal.

Iranian officials have warned that any military action would provoke a decisive response. President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that US threats were undermining regional stability, while senior Revolutionary Guards commanders cautioned neighbouring states against allowing their airspace or territory to be used in any attack on Iran.

A senior Iranian official said Tehran would treat even a limited strike as an act of full-scale war, adding that Iran’s military was operating on high alert.

Regional governments, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have sought to distance themselves from any potential confrontation, assuring Iran that their territory and airspace would not be used for hostile operations.

For airlines and shipping companies, the overlapping military exercises and force deployments raise the risk of rerouting, higher insurance premiums and operational delays. Industry analysts say even temporary airspace restrictions near Hormuz can amplify uncertainty across energy and transport markets, underscoring how quickly regional tensions can spill into the global economy.