Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, head of the Iqbal Forum and a strategic affairs expert, speaking from Tehran in an interview with Yasser Rashid on Suno News Pakistan, discussed the latest developments in Iran and the region:
Strategic power of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab Bagheri believes that international pressure has unintentionally enabled Iran to achieve extraordinary strategic power. He describes the Strait of Hormuz as more powerful than a nuclear bomb and refers to...
- Strategic power of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab
Bagheri believes that international pressure has unintentionally enabled Iran to achieve extraordinary strategic power. He describes the Strait of Hormuz as more powerful than a nuclear bomb and refers to the Bab al-Mandab Strait as a “geopolitical hydrogen bomb,” now in Iran’s hands as key pieces in a chess game.
- Criticism of Donald Trump’s behavior and Twitter diplomacy
He describes Trump as a figure more focused on media presence and provocative tweets than on realities on the ground. Bagheri notes that Trump’s claims about Iran accepting all conditions were merely attempts to gain media attention. He stresses that Iran will teach Trump that governance and geopolitics cannot be conducted through Twitter, but must be based on real-world conditions.
- Conditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
He explains that after a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran partially reopened the Strait of Hormuz (allowing 25 ships per day). However, following Trump’s tweets, Iran once again halted traffic to demonstrate that negotiations must be based on mutual respect and realities, not unilateral claims.
- Pakistan’s mediation role
Bagheri praised the role of Pakistan’s military and government in conveying messages between Tehran and Washington. He stated that Iran highly values Islamabad’s efforts and hopes that the final round of negotiations will take place in Pakistan.
- Nuclear issue and uranium enrichment
In response to claims about handing over enriched uranium, Bagheri stated that Iran will never retreat from its nuclear knowledge and technology. However, Iran is willing to transfer its uranium to a third country to prove the peaceful nature of its program, so that after reducing enrichment levels, it can be returned for medical and energy use.
- Economic benefits for Pakistan
He pointed out that Iran is currently allowing Pakistani ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without fees as a gesture of goodwill. He predicted that bilateral cooperation could strengthen Pakistan’s economic interests.
