Followers of the Iranian file know that the mullahs’ regime always threatens to close Hormuz Strait whenever tensions with the US are heated. Hence, there is nothing new in the recent Iranian official statements about blocking the strait.
The leaders of the IRGCC frequently used these kinds of threats. Ismail Kuthari threatened to close the passage of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if the Americans say they want to halt Iran’s oil exports. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the RGC’s elite Quds Force, also stated that Tehran was ready to block exports of oil crude from the Middle East.
These statements came as a reckless response to US State Department announcement that Washington is willing to reduce Iranian oil revenues to zero.
This time, things have not been left to the leaders of the Revolutionary Guard only. Rouhani said the US didn’t think about the repercussions of this step.
Rouhani even used a more aggressive language. Speaking to a gathering of Iranians living in Switzerland, he threatened to block oil shipments from neighbouring countries if Washington presses ahead with its goal of forcing all countries to stop buying Iranian oil. “The Americans say they want to halt Iran’s oil exports, but they don’t understand the implications of this,” he said. He added: “It’s meaningless that Iran’s oil cannot be exported while [the] region’s oil is.
The man went on to assert that the US would bear the consequences of such a step.
Rouhani’s remarks were striking and were greeted with praise from his critics in the Revolutionary Guards. The commander of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, praised the president’s statements. In a letter to President Rouhani, Soleimani wrote that his remarks and his talk about Iran’s position towards the Zionist entity “were a source of pride and honour.”
Soleimani wrote, “This is the same Dr. Rouhani whom we knew and know, and who must be, adding, “I will kiss your hand for your timely, prudent and correct statement, and we are ready for any policies that are in the interest of the Islamic Republic.”
Soleimani said the Revolutionary Guards were ready to implement a policy that would impede regional oil exports if the US blocked Iranian oil exports.
The Revolutionary Guard is pushing for war and military escalation and sees it as a lifeline for the regime. The mullahs’ regime feeds on crises. President Rouhani feared that the regime would denounce him if he persised to dialogue with the US. Recently, indicators and signs of this potential scenario have surfaced the Iranian political sphere. Rouhani has begun to push hard to use an extremist tone to converge with the regime. His statement, in my view, reflected his personal convictions and internal positions and not the moderate face he wears while dealing with the outside. Soleimani unveiled the truth when he said that “This is the same Dr. Rouhani whom we knew and know, and who must be.” Rouhani abandoned his commitment to the mullahs’ role-playing game and spoke of his vision. He used a tone intended to tell the US that the Iranian regime, as a whole, is ready to risk a military conflict if sanctions were implemented.
The mullahs are aware that President Trump will not back down on sanctions. Despite its considerable experience of practicing political brinkmanship in dealing with previous US administrations, the Iranian regime seems more worried this time. Tehran is certain that the Trump administration masters this policy. The current US administration will not withdraw unless it gets concessions from the mullahs. Developments indicate the close end of the mullahs’ regime. The Iranian regime has only to line up with different wings and kiss each other’s hands for fear of the inevitable fate.
