While the sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps begin on Monday, April 15, a joint counter-mine military exercise is taking place in the Persian Gulf by the navy forces of U.S, France, and Britain. The goal of the exercise is to ensure the safety and freedom of ships in these waters.

A spokesperson for the U.S navy told France News Agency that this exercise is only defensive and that “we are fully ready against any threat.”

The joint counter-mine military exercise is called “Artemis Trident 19”.

The exercise is performed near the Bahrain coast, where the fifth U.S navy fleet is stationed. Ten battleships, several helicopters, and divers are participating in this exercise which will continue until April 19.

This exercise by three western powers is being performed at the time when IRGC has just been designated as a terrorist organization.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz. After the sanctions against the IRGC, Hossein Shariatmadari, a chief propagandist for the Islamic Republic, wrote in Kayhan newspaper: “The Islamic Republic can legally retaliate by blocking the Strait of Hormuz.”

In December, as a new U.S aircraft career was entering the Persian Gulf, the IRGC performed a military drill near Qeshm Island.