Today's Lianhe Zaobao reports: "Iran has presented six demands to the United States, stating that if America does not correct its own behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened."
These six demands are: the United States must cease threatening Iran; stop insulting Iran's sacred and inviolable symbols; halt military actions against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestinian territories, Yemen, and Iraq, and lift the naval blockade; withdraw U.S. Navy and Air Force forces from Iranian territory; compensate for damages caused by two wars; lift sanctions on Iran, and unconditionally release frozen Iranian assets.
By leveraging control over navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has put forward these six tough conditions at once—packaging ceasefire, troop withdrawal, sanction relief, war reparations, and asset unfreezing into a single package, clearly indicating it will not easily relent on opening the strait. This list nearly touches upon all core contradictions between the U.S. and Iran, creating a huge gap with the U.S. goal of achieving immediate, unconditional restoration of free passage through the strait. Although diplomatic contacts continue between both sides, Iran’s red lines are clear, and it aims to use the strait as leverage to force comprehensive concessions from the U.S.; however, the U.S. is unlikely to accept such stringent demands as troop withdrawal and financial compensation. At present, this appears more like an exaggerated opening bid at the negotiation table. Subsequently, the situation is likely to enter a prolonged period of bargaining and haggling. Until both sides reach a compromise, the tense shipping situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain unresolved, international energy markets will continue to face volatility pressures, and the risk of renewed conflict may loom.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873011432124427/
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