According to Reuters report dated July 6th, the funeral of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei was not just a national goodbye ceremony. The mourners who flooded the streets of Tehran sent a message to the United States and Israel: their attempts to undermine Iran have failed.
Iran has not weakened due to the war provoked by the US and Israel; instead, it has shown determination to resist, unite, and shape the future situation.
Several regional officials, diplomats, and analysts said that this spirit of resistance and survival capability now underpin Iran’s negotiation strategy. They also described this funeral as “a moment when Tehran attempts to turn endurance into a bargaining chip in negotiations.”
The 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is seen as an opportunity for the US to resume diplomatic efforts and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear arsenal. However, in reality, it has initiated a different kind of negotiation. Analysts say that this war highlights Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz. Any agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program must start with recognition of this reality.
Iranians flock to the streets to bid farewell to the late Supreme Leader Khamenei Oriental IC
In this game, Iran's geographical location, rather than its uranium enrichment capabilities, is its most powerful asset. Tehran is trying to gain recognition for its dominance around the strait, in order to turn wartime advantages into permanent strategic advantages.
American think tank Middle East Institute’s Alex Vatanaka said, “For Iranians, symbolism is more important than income. They want some symbolic recognition that the Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran. This involves recognizing Iran as the sovereign country over the Strait.”
Watanaka quoted a Persian proverb and added, "Why use diamonds in exchange for lollipops?"
Iran believes that the Hormuz Strait is like diamonds. While sanctions relief and frozen assets are like lollipops.
Former US diplomat Alan Eil believes: "Iran is very willing to delay and extend negotiations indefinitely. It wants to control the Hormuz Strait, and is working to institutionalize this control through negotiations."
"Iranians know Trump wants to pull out," Ariel said, "they know they can put pressure on him because the time is on their side." For Iran, American President Trump is under domestic political constraints and is cautious about a renewed confrontation before the US midterm elections in November, therefore he is more eager to reach an agreement than make concessions.
Eir said: “There is no winner in this game, but Iran will suffer less than the United States.”
The public funeral ceremony for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began on the 4th local time, and it is now in its third day. Large numbers of people have flocked to the capital Tehran from all over the country to participate in the memorial activities, shouting "Revenge, revenge!" at the scene.
Regarding this, U.S. President Trump said he was 'surprised'.
