Senior Iranian Official Tells Reuters a Precise Strike Would Break the Naval Blockade if the Interim Deal Isn't Fully Implemented

According to Ecoiran, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed senior Iranian official, that if the United States does not implement all provisions of its interim agreement with Tehran within the coming weeks, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and beyond will escalate. The official said that if diplomacy fails, Tehran would carry out what it called a timely and precise military strike to break the US naval blockade of Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has previously said the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the US returns to the initial agreement.

In a separate report by The Wall Street Journal, relayed by Ecoiran, analysts and unnamed Iranian and Arab officials said Tehran, rather than treating the June agreement as a genuine diplomatic track, has used the 60 day pause to rebuild its military capacity and prepare for a broader confrontation with the US. Analysts cited by The New York Times pointed to recent changes in Iran's Supreme National Security Council and senior military command as, in their view, signs Tehran is preparing for the war to continue. No named Iranian official has so far confirmed these statements on the record.