look news india
Amidst hopes for peace in West Asia, the Strait of Hormuz has once again become a pile of gunpowder. Despite the recent 60-day ceasefire and 14-point interim agreement, Iran has reiterated its right to control this important waterway. Tehran has made it clear that ignoring its role in any decision in the Gulf region will cause insecurity. The attack on a ship near Oman has further fueled this tension, putting America and six Gulf countries directly in front of Iran.
Increasing tension between America and Iran The US and a coalition of Gulf countries have completely rejected Iran’s claims of toll collection and control. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has taken a tough stance regarding this, saying that the safe movement of ships passing through Hormuz cannot be ensured unless Iran gets a proper position as a coastal country. At the same time, Iran alleges that the presence of American forces in the Gulf is the real root of regional instability. Meanwhile, the missile alert issued by mistake in Dubai also reflects the increased fear and uncertainty across the region.
Nuclear inspection and global concern Amid these signs of tension, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Mariano Grassi has said that Iran has allowed him to inspect its nuclear sites, which is a positive step. However, Iran has also made it clear that till the ‘final agreement’ the country’s main nuclear sites will be completely protected and no outsider will have access there. All these developments have had a direct impact on the prices of crude oil in the international market, which are continuously declining.
Will there be a military conflict ahead? Under the 14-point interim agreement between the US and Iran on June 18, a ‘communication line’ was established to avoid any military confrontation. But from Iran’s latest stubbornness and its stance on Hormuz, it is clear that the future of West Asia is still at a very delicate juncture. While on one hand President Trump claims that Iran is struggling with an economic crisis, on the other hand Tehran seems ready to go to any extent to strengthen its strategic position.
