How Iran's disputed nuclear program became more important than its 'golden weapons' in Hormuz

The wording of the interim deal fuels differing interpretations between Iran and the U.S. about who manages transit

* Tehran used to view the closing of waterways as a final resort

* Iran will not start nuclear negotiations until Washington accepts Washington's authority over the Strait

By Parisa Hafezi & Angus McDowall

DUBAI, 8 July - The Strait of Hormuz is now a "golden" weapon for Iran. It is willing to risk escalating tensions with the United States for this goal, which is more important than its nuclear program for which the country has accepted sanctions for decades.

The issue of Iranian strategy is so important that this week ships that passed the 'Strait' without Tehran's permission were fired on, leading to a 'fire exchange' with the United States which threatens the interim peace agreement last month.

The Iranian leadership, which had resisted for years to choke off the fifth global energy supply passing through Hormuz now sees it as their strongest hand in a number of disputes with the West and the reason Washington concluded the war.

Ebrahim Azizi wrote on social media that the United States should recognize the new Iranian order at the Strait of Hormuz. This is the only path forward.

Two senior Iranian sources said that while Tehran's insistence on maintaining control of the waterway could lead to a long-term dispute, there was little disagreement about the policy.

One source said that there had been some discussion about whether Iran was overplaying its hands, but the general opinion in the top circles was no rational country would give up such a powerful leverage point.

The source said that they wanted to remove Iran's "golden weapon" - the issue of Hormuz - and this would be impossible.

The interim agreement signed by President Donald Trump last month to end the conflict opened up the strait for more traffic, but it was left vague on its ultimate fate. While President Donald Trump opened up the Strait of Hormuz to more traffic last month, the final fate of the waterway was not specified in the interim agreement.

In the memorandum, Iran promises to "make arrangements for safe passage for commercial vessels without charge for 60 days".

Iranian negotiators read?that as the U.S. recognizing the Islamic Republic’s right to control the waterway for two months, even if it means not charging tolls or fees.

The United States and Gulf States reject this interpretation. They believe that the language means that Iran must facilitate safe passage of vessels, not impose any restrictions or enforce them with force.

HORMUZ IS PRIORITIZED OVER NUCLEAR ISSUES

Iran's position is based on a distrust for the United States, exacerbated by Trump's decision in 2018 to rip up a nuclear agreement, his return to the war this year, after agreeing a ceasefire during the summer, and his unannounced war launch while a diplomatic process was underway.

One of the sources stated that if Iran backs down on Hormuz he would intensify his demands for other areas, including the nuclear dossier and Iran's conventional missile stock, stating such a move was "surrender and this is impossible".

Iran has warned that it can close the Strait for years, and once said that it would be as easy as drinking water. However, senior officials have also privately stated that they are reluctant to do this as it is a last resort.

They were hesitant because they feared increasing their isolation internationally by making a decision that would anger Gulf neighbours as well as global energy consumers and, ultimately, hurt their own economy.

Iranian officials thought they had nothing to lose when Israel and the United States?attacked Iran's supreme leadership and other top officials on February 28. The Iranians closed the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic except their own. This caused the largest disruption in?global energy supply history.

Washington, after hesitating about the effect on oil prices added its own blocking of Iranian ports in late April.

The cost of the blockade on Hormuz eventually became so high that the two sides reached an agreement. Iran believes that after forcing the U.S. into a negotiating position by closing the Strait, it now needs to formalise this ability.

Both sides were anxious about the immediate economic issues they faced. Both sides believe they have won. There's a view that both sides just need to push further to get their desired outcome, said Ali Ansari - a professor of modern history at St Andrews University.

Iran has now shifted its focus to the Hormuz issue, and believes Washington has accepted its right to enrich uranium at home.

Trump's war was primarily motivated by the nuclear issue, which had been the main source of disagreement between Iran and the United States over the past 25 years. It also prompted major international sanctions against Iran.

The negotiations over Iran's nuclear program were reduced to further discussions as part of the interim agreement that ended the war.

Senior Iranian sources said that Iran would not even start talks about the nuclear issue unless the United States accepted its full control of the Strait of Hormuz. Reporting by Parisa hafezi and Angus McDowall, Editing by Peter Graff

(source: Reuters)