The United States and Iran on Aug. 18 hardened their positions and rhetoric, as fears grow that attacks across the region could resume after the two sides rejected to extend the 60-day deadline.
Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Aug. 18 that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the U.S. meets Tehran’s demands, including lifting a naval blockade.
He listed the removal of the blockade, the lifting of oil sanctions and unfreezing of Iran’s assets abroad among the demands, which were included in an Iran-U.S. truce in June that later collapsed.
Ghalibaf during his speech said Iran was “ready to inflict an even more crushing defeat on the enemy, proportionate to its actions and advances.”
War between Iran and the United States broke out on Feb. 28 after U.S.-Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic, triggering a conflict across the region.
Diplomatic efforts have since April 8 put an end to intense bombardments, but sporadic clashes have persisted, especially in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has kept control of the strait, a vital global energy conduit, since the war broke out, requiring vessels to seek permission and pay transit service fees, a move opposed by Washington and several regional countries.
Iran and Oman, both coastal states on Hormuz, have for weeks been discussing the future of navigation through the strait, with Tehran saying the geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by both countries “have been agreed upon.”
On Aug. 17, Iran said that talks were “continuing in a serious manner” and views were being exchanged on the text of a “joint statement”.”
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a deal with Iran on Hormuz and called for Tehran to surrender in a war that has become a growing political burden at home.
Trump also said that Iran should “put up the white flag of surrender,” during an interview with Fox News.
Trump insisted that he was in no hurry to reach a deal despite the unpopularity of the war and opposition Democrats seeking to take control of Congress from the Republicans in the midterm elections.
He said that there is a direct back-channel between his administration and officials of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).
“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” he said.
