Iran Threatens to Go on Offensive in Strait of Hormuz if Diplomacy Fails

Iran has announced it will adopt a fully offensive policy if negotiations with the United States fail, according to a senior Iranian official speaking to Reuters. Efforts to reach a permanent peace agreement have stalled, with no indication either side is moving toward resolving the conflict that began on February 28. The official warned Iranian entities must be ready to intensify tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader region, stating Iran is prepared to make difficult decisions and take military action if diplomacy fails.

Monday marked the deadline for Iran and the US to finalize a deal under a memorandum of understanding signed in June, with a 60-day timeframe for negotiations. However, the agreement quickly faltered over disagreements regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran contended point 5 of the MoU authorized it to manage the waterway, while the US rejected that interpretation.

Hostilities resumed after Iran began firing on vessels allegedly attempting to navigate the Strait on an unauthorized route. US President Donald Trump declared the pact over on July 7. Tehran has frequently accused Washington of repeatedly breaching its commitments. Within just a few weeks, the Iranian official stated all provisions of the agreement must be implemented by the US before any further negotiations with the US can commence.

Rhetoric has escalated in recent days, with Trump warning Americans to prepare for ongoing high fuel prices stemming from the war, and suggesting he may declare the Hormuz Strait a US territory once Iran is defeated.