As U.S.–Iran tensions spike and President Trump renews warnings of large-scale strikes, Iran’s IRGC has staged “Combined Exercise 1404” along its southern coast. Missile batteries, micro-drones, suicide boats and special forces units rehearsed layered, shore-to-sea defense scenarios facing the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Commanders described the drills as built around “existing threats,” integrating new technology with updated tactics under electronic-warfare conditions. With carriers nearby and ultimatums ticking down, Tehran appears to be signaling readiness for asymmetric conflict at sea. Is this deterrence — or preparation for a wider naval clash?