Iranian Naval Exercises in the Strait of Hormuz: Threat or Rhetoric?

On Dec. 24, Iran will begin 10 days of naval exercises, dubbed Velayat 90, in a 2,000-square-kilometer (1,243-square-mile) area that includes the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Tehran intends for these exercises both to increase Iranian capabilities and to demonstrate those capabilities to the world as proof of its longtime threats to close the strait if attacked. Actually closing the strait would hurt Iran as much as it hurts others, so Iranian threats remain largely rhetorical, but its willingness to carry through on its threats if it ever finds itself in a desperate situation should not be underestimated.