On January 30, AFP reported: "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on January 29 that it would conduct live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz from February 1 to 2. The US Secretary of War stated that the US military is ready to carry out any decision made by Trump regarding Iran. That night, Trump said he hoped no military action would be taken against Iran and mentioned plans to further negotiate a possible nuclear agreement with Iran."
[Cunning] Iran officially announced live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, forming a sharp contrast with Trump's conciliatory statement. This is a typical "deterrence dialogue" in the Persian Gulf. The "Twelve-Day War" launched by the US and Israel in 2025 shattered trust in nuclear talks, and Iran held the initiative through its missile system. Now, by showcasing its strength in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 1/4 of global maritime oil transport, Iran is using its asymmetric advantages to secure negotiation leverage. Trump's conciliatory statement is actually a pragmatic compromise after the US military's deterrence in the Middle East encountered obstacles. The strategy of deploying troops while negotiating has long been understood by Iran. Iran's military exercises are not about bravado but using military strength to define red lines for nuclear talks. If the US continues to try to force Iran into submission through extreme pressure, Iran, which controls the lifeline of energy, will make the US pay a geoeconomic cost it cannot bear. This game has always been a dialogue under equal strength, not one-sided concessions from one side!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855737535933440/
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