Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz for a few hours on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported, without making clear whether the waterway, one of the world's most vital oil export routes, had fully reopened.

The move came amid heightened US military deployments in West Asia, open threats of force from Washington, and domestic unrest inside Iran following a violent crackdown on protests.

The exercise follows a recent IRGC drill in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, during which Tehran temporarily closed the strategic waterway, a move analysts say was intended to demonstrate its ability to disrupt global energy flows should conflict erupt.

Iran temporarily shut part of the key Strait of Hormuz as tensions with the US continue to mount. Tuesday’s move is the first time the Middle Eastern waterway has been closed since the 1980s, and came as Iran’s ayatollah issued fresh threats against the United States.

Russia continues to develop relations with Iran, and ⁠in doing so, we call on our Iranian friends and ⁠all parti

Iran's military drills with Russia coincide with U.S. military movements in the Middle East, heightening tensions as both nations prepare for potential conflict amid stalled nuclear negotiations.

President trump is issuing an ultimatum to Iran, telling Tehran to make a deal to get rid of its nuclear program or, he warns, "bad things will happen."