Tehran (Monitoring Desk) According to Iranian analysts, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of deploying the US Navy to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz could be viewed by Iran as provocation rather than a humanitarian measure.
Nigah Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy and host of the Iran Podcast, told Al Jazeera that this is a war zone, and Iran will perceive the move in that context, which could bring US forces and assets closer to Iranian boundaries.
She said it is unclear whether the step is merely a threat, a negotiating tactic, or an attempt to pressure Iran, but Tehran would not consider it a humanitarian mission under any circumstances.
She further added that if Iran joins the proposed plan and the Strait of Hormuz is fully opened while US sanctions are lifted, then there would be no need for any naval protection mission. According to her, the Strait of Hormuz is a key strategic asset for Iran and also its main leverage tool.
