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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Iran: US Using Military Pressure Ahead of New Talks

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Iran claims the U.S. is using military pressure to weaken Tehran's negotiating position ahead of new talks.
  • A member of Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee stated that Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey are mediating efforts.
  • The U.S. reportedly aims to reduce Iran's role in managing the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point.

An Iranian lawmaker has accused the United States of launching new military actions against Iran to undermine Tehran's bargaining power before upcoming negotiations. Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, stated that despite mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey, Washington believes it can weaken Iran.

Ardestani told RIA Novosti that the U.S. objective is to diminish Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz. He suggested that recent U.S. actions stem from perceived ambiguities in a previously signed memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington. Ardestani specifically pointed to a clause regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz, which he believes could be interpreted differently by the parties involved.

Pakistan, Qatar and even Turkey are still making mediation efforts. However, America still believes that they will be able to weaken Iran to a certain extent before the next negotiations.

— Ahmad Bakhshayesh ArdestaniDescribing the ongoing mediation efforts and the U.S. stance ahead of new talks.

The lawmaker further elaborated that the U.S. might be attempting to leverage the so-called "Oman corridor" for shipping, thereby reducing Iran's role in the strait's management during future discussions on nuclear issues and the waterway's status. Ardestani views this as a contributing factor to the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

This exchange follows a period of heightened tension. While Tehran and Washington signed an indirect memorandum of understanding on June 18 to cease military conflict, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported multiple waves of U.S. military strikes against Iran starting July 8. CENTCOM stated these actions were a response to Iran's actions against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, in turn, reportedly launched attacks on several U.S. military bases in the Middle East.

However, because Oman is an Arab country, it is more vulnerable to the influence of Arab Gulf countries and is also under pressure from the United States.

— Ahmad Bakhshayesh ArdestaniExplaining his concerns about Oman's potential vulnerability to U.S. and Arab Gulf influence regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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