Iranian commentators argue that when the country is forced to concede in talks with the United States, hard‑liners attack the negotiating team, accusing them of using personal persuasion to gain concessions. They claim that the outcome of negotiations depends entirely on the military’s strength. If the armed forces are perceived as weak, the country is seen as vulnerable.
A prominent example cited is the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian politicians once believed their forces could secure the airspace and prevent any aerial incursion, and that expensive ballistic missiles would deter attacks. They also hoped to close the 39‑kilometer strait to raise oil prices and gain leverage in negotiations.
In recent conflicts, even this low expectation was unmet. Iran’s greatest achievement was to make the strait less secure, which had significant consequences. As former President Trump noted, the daily passage of dozens of tankers through the strait kept oil prices from reaching levels that would have forced the U.S. to concede in talks with Iran.