Iran says that it has partially closed the Strait of Hormuz, as part of what the country's leaders called "security precautions" while Tehran's Revolutionary Guard conducts military drills in the area.

CNBC reports that the temporary closure that began on February 17 is to ensure shipping safety during the Revolutionary Guard's "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz" drill, which is expected to include the live firing of missiles. The closure comes as the U.S. and Iran hold the second round of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss Iran's nuclear program. It also marks the first closure of the strait since the Trump administration began threatening military action in the region in January. The U.S. military is continuing a significant buildup of air and naval assets in the Middle East that began ahead of the talks, reports CNN.

An estimated 13 million barrels of crude oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz daily in 2025, making up around 31% of global maritime crude flows. Speaking to CNBC, chief safety and security officer with the Baltic and International Maritime Council Jacob Larsen said that the partial closure will likely lead to minor delays but no major disruptions.

In the meantime, talks between the U.S. and Iran were said to have focused solely on the latter's nuclear program, and not on crackdowns against protesters that President Donald Trump had initially cited as a potential justification for military action. Speaking to reporters, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the two sides had reached an understanding regarding the "guiding principles" of negotiations, but added that there's still work to be done.