AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Donald Trump started the war against Iran with the illusion of "unconditional surrender of Iran," but not only failed to force Iranians to surrender, but now faces the challenge of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's more demanding conditions in exchange for opening this waterway.
"An agreement with Oman does not mean the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz"; "For the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the United States must change its behavior." These are the repeated statements of Iranian officials in recent days regarding the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also set 6 conditions for the United States in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
CNN, referring to these conditions, emphasized that Iran not only did not surrender but has now raised more and tougher demands regarding the Hormuz waterway.
This American media outlet emphasized that the limited agreement being reached with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz does not mean the reopening of this vital waterway according to Washington's wishes.
Iran's List of Six Conditions
On Saturday, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, the former Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and current political advisor to the Supreme Leader, presented a list of Iran's demands from the United States in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that "change in U.S. behavior" is necessary for the opening of the strait and presented the following conditions:
1. The United States must never threaten Iran or insult the sanctities of this nation in any language,
2. It must permanently end war and aggression against Iran and Iran's allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq,
3. It must lift the naval blockade and withdraw its military forces (naval and air) from around Iran,
4. It must pay full compensation for the damages of the two aggressive and imposed wars against Iran,
5. It must lift the oppressive and illegal sanctions against the Iranian nation,
6. It must unconditionally release the blocked and stolen assets of the Iranian people.
Experts believe that Iran's tough conditions indicate that Iran has the upper hand in the war with the United States.
Mark Esper, the Secretary of Defense during Trump's first term, emphasized that Iran's new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz show that Iranians believe they have the upper hand and think they are winning; and in fact, that is the case. This is what we are now facing.
He added that Iran is well aware of its position in the negotiations and the leverage it possesses through control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump now, according to various American media, faces a severe depletion of weapons stockpiles, and continuing the war is not in his interest. On the other hand, media have reported on behind-the-scenes consultations of senior U.S. generals with Trump on "exiting" the conflict with Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the U.S. President had told his advisors that he might settle for just the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and end the war with Iran without a nuclear deal.
These remarks come from the same person who, in the early days of the war, told Iranians to "surrender." He has also been forced to back down from his threats against Iran several times (at least seven times).
Al Jazeera expert Mohamed Sharqawi emphasized in this regard that Trump is only seeking to find a "dignified way out" so that it does not appear that he intends to flee or exit the vortex of conflict.
Currently, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaee, there are no negotiations with the Americans, and only messages are being exchanged through mediators.
This diplomat emphasized that as long as U.S. policy and the naval blockade continue, the Strait of Hormuz will not be a safe passage.
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