FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate, while clashes between Iran and the United States follow the same pattern: attack, retaliation, and new escalation.
An Iranian drone strikes a ship sailing in this strategic corridor without Tehran's approval, the US responds with airstrikes on targets on the Iranian coast, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retaliates with missile and drone attacks on Washington's allies in the Persian Gulf.
This situation is developing in parallel with diplomatic efforts by Qatar and Pakistan to keep the channel of negotiations open. Qatar, which has been playing the role of mediator, was also the target of a recent Iranian attack, while Oman hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for talks on navigation in the strait.
For Iran, Hormuz remains one of its most powerful instruments of pressure. Partial control or the threat of blocking this sea route gives Tehran the opportunity to directly influence global energy markets.
"This strategic waterway is one of the country's deterrent assets," said Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
According to US officials, Iranian negotiators have claimed that the attacks on three ships last week were the result of a "faulty part" of the Iranian system.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington estimates that this situation allows Tehran to continue diplomatic dialogue, while the Revolutionary Guard maintains control over operations on the ground.
"The differences between the negotiators and the IRGC relate to tactical approaches, negotiations or military actions, not strategic objectives," the ISW analysis states.
The United States demands that Iran publicly guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stop attacks on commercial ships. Tehran, on the other hand, refuses to return to the previous situation and opposes unlimited control of maritime traffic.
Analysts say a solution remains far off. According to Danny Citrinowicz, the US operations appear to be aimed more at imposing costs on Iran than changing the strategic reality in the strait.
Normalizing maritime traffic remains difficult as long as an agreement is not reached between Iran and Oman to reduce tensions or the US does not give up on efforts to guarantee the passage of tankers through corridors opposed by Tehran.
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