The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will carry out live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1 and February 2, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported on Thursday.

This comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. Iran on Thursday vowed a “crushing response” to any attack after US President Donald Trump warned time was running out for a nuclear deal.

Earlier this week, Mohammad Akbarzadeh, political deputy of the IRGC’s naval forces, appeared to threaten the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway through which around 20 percent of global oil supplies pass – a threat Iran has repeatedly made in the past but never carried out.

“Iran has real-time intelligence over the Strait of Hormuz, above and below the surface, and the security of this strategic passage depends on Tehran’s decisions,” Akbarzadeh said. “We do not want the world economy to suffer, but the Americans and their supporters will not benefit from a war they start.

Washington and Tehran have exchanged sharp warnings since a protest wave in Iran led Trump to threaten military action over a violent crackdown, while the Islamic Republic blamed the United States for fueling what it deemed “riots.”

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammed Reza Aref said Thursday Tehran must be ready for war.

“Today we must be prepared for a state of war. Our strategy is that we will never start a war, but if it is imposed, we will defend ourselves,” state news agency IRNA quoted Aref as saying.

He added that Iran was “ready” for negotiations with the United States but said “this time we want guarantees,” without giving further details.