Former US negotiator: America faces major 'strategic defeat' as Iran tightens control over Hormuz
Former US negotiator Aaron David Miller has acknowledged that the United States is “on the verge of suffering a really significant strategic defeat” if it is forced to accept Iran’s growing leverage and control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
Speaking in an interview with Australia’s ABC network, Miller warned that emerging arrangements could compel Washington to give Iran the ability to control who and what passes through the waterway. Such an outcome, he emphasized, would constitute a major setback not only for the United States but also for its allied Arab states in the Persian Gulf.
Miller made the remarks while discussing reported negotiations between Iran and Oman on mechanisms to guarantee the safe passage of vessels through the Strait. Although he cautioned that it is still too early to declare a final deal, he made clear that any arrangement strengthening Tehran’s hand would represent a profound strategic loss for Washington.
“The (Persian) Gulf states need to decide whether or not they can acquiesce or even support such an accord. And then, once a text is made public, the administration is going to have to weigh in to see whether or not they’re able to accept. But, again, my confidence level here is not entirely as high these days,” he said.
Miller further observed that while the Persian Gulf states as a group hold limited influence over Trump, Saudi Arabia and the UAE wield considerable leverage thanks to the extensive business interests of the Trump family in the region.
He pointed out that the Trump administration, members of the president’s family, including son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as Steve Witkoff and others have already benefited from hundreds of millions of dollars in investments linked to projects in the Persian Gulf, he added.
"Affinity Partners, which is Jared Kushner’s $2 billion hedge fund, was bankrolled by Mohammed bin Salman, the future king of Saudi Arabia,” Miller noted.
Miller warned that any US strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure would provoke a severe Iranian response with far-reaching consequences for global energy markets.
The full extent of the damage Iran could inflict on Persian Gulf oil facilities has not yet been seen, he said, and such an escalation could "drive oil prices well north of anything we've seen."
Kuwait closes only Iranian private school amid post-war crackdown
Explosions heard at Dubai’s Jebel Ali industrial area: Report
Iran-Oman Hormuz corridor talks progress despite US obstruction, source tells Press TV
US on the verge of 'significant strategic defeat' against Iran: Ex-US negotiator
VIDEO | Tunisia’s medicine price hikes fuel social concerns over healthcare access
AIPAC eyes another push against El-Sayed after $32 million defeat in Michigan primary
Any country joining Saudi aggression is aggressor, Yemen warns after joint ‘defense' deal
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Persian Gulf security must come from within the region, not outside: Iran deputy FM
Iraqi Resistance 'delays' planned retaliatory strike on US-Saudi interests
Israeli forces have killed 300 Palestinian children since Gaza 'ceasefire': UNICEF
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
