Iran goes all in: US gets hard deadline to save talks
Photo: Iranian military personnel in front of an image of missiles and a map of Iran (Getty Images)
Iran has declared a shift to an offensive policy and given the United States several weeks to meet its demands, warning of a military response if negotiations fail, according to Reuters.
According to a senior Iranian official cited by the agency, the negotiating process has effectively reached a dead end. The anticipated resumption of oil tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has also failed to materialize.
The official said Iran is preparing for a possible escalation not only in the strait but across the wider region.
"Iranian entities must be prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider region, as Iran will be ready to make decisions and take action on difficult decisions," the official said.
He added that if diplomatic efforts fail, Tehran is prepared to carry out a "timely and precise" military strike to break the maritime blockade.
Iran sets a deadline
According to the Iranian official, the United States has several weeks to fulfill all provisions of the previous agreement. Tehran says this is a precondition for continuing negotiations.
"Within the short period of a few weeks set by Iran, all the agreement's provisions must be implemented by the US. This is a precondition for further negotiations with the US," he said.
The official added that mediators should inform Washington and other countries in the region about Tehran's deadline.
In mid-June, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that provided for a temporary cessation of hostilities. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, Iran's leadership used the period to prepare for a possible renewed escalation.
In particular, Iran strengthened the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' control over the regular military, appointed war veterans to key positions, and expanded domestic counterintelligence operations. The country has also increased production of missiles and drones.
