Iran threatens new offensive while US rules out extending ceasefire deal
DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran will shift to a “fully offensive” military posture because efforts to negotiate a permanent end to the war with the US have stalled, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, as Washington ruled out extending a temporary ceasefire agreement.
DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran is set to adopt a fully offensive military stance due to negotiations for a permanent ceasefire with the US failing, according to a senior Iranian official. The US has ruled out extending the temporary ceasefire agreement, as talks have stalled and the conflict threatens to continue. The memorandum of understanding signed in June to end the war provided Iran and the US with until Monday to reach a final peace agreement.
However, a dispute over the control of the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, led to the unraveling of the agreement. US President Donald Trump has refused to extend the interim agreement. Sources suggest that Trump may have initiated back-channel discussions with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has gained more power during the war and controls significant portions of Iran's armed forces and economy.
The US administration is concerned about the authenticity of the IRGC's negotiators, while Iran claims to be close to an agreement on managing the strait with Oman. However, the US rejected Iran's interpretation, and Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it interferes. Recently, Iran has been negotiating an agreement on managing the strait with Oman and is reportedly nearing a deal.
Despite Iran's resilience in the war, its leaders are concerned about the potential for increased hardships, unrest, and erosion of the Islamic Republic's legitimacy due to potential economic sanctions. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, with Iran targeting US military bases and infrastructure in various countries.
The surge in oil prices due to the conflict has caused gasoline prices in the US to exceed $4 per gallon, up from less than $3 before the war.
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