Iranian leaders are widely seen as believing the United States will ultimately allow Iran to retain leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, despite mounting pressure and military risks. Both outlets describe a strategy built around the idea that sustained disruption to the waterway would raise global energy prices and create domestic and political costs for the United States.
The articles link Iran’s approach to several factors: concern about U.S. weapons stockpiles, reluctance in the U.S. to broaden the conflict, and the potential impact of higher gas and other costs on the political environment ahead of congressional elections in November. They also note that Iran expects any attempt to reopen the strait by force could be costly and may require American ground involvement, and that conflict could expand further through Iran’s allies in Yemen.
While the tone differs, both accounts emphasize that Iran’s reasoning is not without risk. Washington Times and Korea Times both highlight that U.S. actions, including strikes that have affected Iran’s leadership, could undermine Iran’s assumptions and that widening the war could produce unpredictable consequences for all parties.
