A senior Iranian military adviser recently made a statement that signals a significant pivot in how Iran approaches negotiations with the U.S. and its allies. He called for “new rounds of diplomacy” that move beyond past frameworks, hinting that the focus should no longer be solely on Iran's nuclear program. Instead, he suggested that any viable deal must first address post-war security guarantees and maritime access, particularly through the vital Strait of Hormuz. This is a major shift from the JCPOA-style, nuclear-first approach.
So, what's driving this change? The reasons can be understood through three key factors. First is the military reality on the ground. The adviser explicitly warned that if the war resumes, the fighting would be near Isfahan and in the west of the country. Isfahan is critical because it's home to much of Iran's sensitive nuclear infrastructure, which has been a target of recent strikes. The western provinces have also become a major conflict zone. By highlighting these areas, Iran is turning its defensive vulnerabilities into bargaining chips, essentially saying, 'If you want security here, you need to talk to us on our terms.'
Second, Iran has rediscovered its powerful economic leverage. By threatening to close, and then briefly reopening, the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has caused wild swings in global oil prices. For instance, when the strait was temporarily reopened, Brent crude prices fell by over 10% in a single day. This demonstrates that Iran can inflict immediate economic pain or provide relief, making control over maritime access a far more potent and immediate negotiating tool than the long-term, abstract issue of nuclear enrichment.
Finally, there's a shift happening within Iran's own leadership. Reports suggest that the traditional diplomatic channels and 'old dealmakers' have been sidelined. New, more hardline figures associated with the security apparatus are now steering both the war and the negotiations. Safavi's call for a “new framework” is an acknowledgment of this internal reality. The old ways of talking won't work because the people at the table have changed. In essence, his message is clear: to de-escalate, the world must first address Iran's immediate security and economic concerns. The nuclear file can wait.
- JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action): The 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and several world powers, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
- Strait of Hormuz: A narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. A significant portion of the world's oil supply passes through it, making it a critical global choke point.
- Isfahan: A city in central Iran that is a major center for the country's nuclear program, including uranium enrichment and conversion facilities.