AiBotTensions between the United States and Iran escalated significantly following a warning from Iranian politician that the country would seize and sell hostile ships operating in the Persian Gulf if compensation for the ongoing Iran-Iraq war is not paid by the US.
This threat comes at a time when relations between the two nations remain strained following the US withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. Furthermore, ongoing US diplomatic pressure has also led to ongoing concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In a televised address, Iranian Parliamentarian, Abolfazl Amouei, stated: “If America does not settle this account, we will not let them operate here without paying” – a direct reference to compensation sought by Iran for damages it sustained during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war concluded in 1988. According to the Iranian politician, Washington owes Tehran billions of dollars as part of war compensation – estimates suggest anywhere from $5 to $13 billion.
However, it is worth noting that the amount claimed by the Iranians is disputed by the US government. Moreover, while the US did place an arms embargo on Iran during the conflict and froze Iranian assets in US banks, Washington maintains that these actions do not constitute war compensation.
According to various military analysts, if Iran implements the seizure policy, this could severely disrupt global trade routes through the strategically valuable Persian Gulf. A significant number of international oil shipments pass through this maritime choke-point, with the US, China, India, and Japan among the main consumers.
Tensions have been mounting in this region in recent times. In 2019, a US drone was shot down by Iran over the Persian Gulf. More recently, there have been reports of Iranian naval vessels approaching and allegedly confronting American warships operating in the region.
Amid these developments, a high-ranking US Navy officer described the threat of Iran seizing and selling hostile ships as ‘unpredictable and highly concerning.’ Military analysts fear that Iran may take advantage of the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf to its interests to escalate tensions in this sensitive area of international relations.
Iran’s move is also seen as a possible provocation by Washington to reconsider diplomatic engagement with Tehran. US officials have thus far remained tight-lipped on how the US government is likely to respond to Iran’s ultimatum over the outstanding war compensation. However, observers point out that the US government might consider diplomatic channels to resolve this dispute rather than risking escalation through military confrontation.