Washington: Tehran is showing little willingness to back down in its recent diplomatic bids with Washington over the Strait of Hormuz, according to a fresh analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The report underscores how IRGC chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi’s tough rhetoric has emerged as the prevailing mindset among Iran’s top decision-makers.
Regime Stays Firm On No Concessions
ISW’s assessment indicates Tehran is steadfastly opposed to relinquishing oversight of the Strait of Hormuz or advancing its nuclear agenda. Establishment figures in Iran are increasingly united on Vahidi’s approach: sidelining nuclear talks until the US removes its naval stranglehold on Iranian harbours, as reported by The Economic Times.
The think tank observes minimal resistance to Vahidi from other power centres in the Islamic Republic. ISW suggests Iran is retooling its Hormuz dominance plan — possibly by looping in Oman for toll collection on Strait traffic — to pitch it as an innovative offer to the US, all without crossing Tehran’s non-negotiables.
Iran is also weighing tactics such as prompting Yemen’s Houthis to target Bab el-Mandeb shipping, designed to compel the US to drop the blockade.
Trump Demands Nuclear Surrender
President Donald Trump, speaking on Wednesday, termed the US naval blockade of Iran “genius,” claiming it has Tehran cornered and praising the Navy’s prowess. “The blockade is genius. The blockade has been 100% foolproof. It shows how good our Navy is, I can tell you that. Nobody’s going to play games. We have the greatest military in the world and I built much of it during my first term and we’ve been building it since and the greatest anywhere in the world, nobody even close,” Trump stated.
He made clear any accord depends on Iran ditching nuclear weapons entirely. “They’ve come a long way. The question is whether or not they’re going to go far enough. So at this moment, there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will be no nuclear weapons,” he added.
In an exclusive Axios interview earlier, Trump affirmed the blockade — his main lever against Iran’s nuclear programme — will persist. “The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told Axios.
Axios reported Trump dismissed Iran’s push to restore Hormuz access and end the blockade prior to nuclear negotiations, demanding Iran first meet US demands. While prioritizing the blockade now, Trump left open the door to strikes if Iran balks at talks.
