Iran’s top adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has expressed that Iranian officials have observed a perceived weakness in the American military since the U.S. and Israel initiated their attack on Iran earlier this year. Talks aimed at ending the conflict have hit a standstill.
In a rare interview with Western media, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, the supreme adviser to the IRGC’s commander-in-chief, stated that Iran has not yet achieved its ultimate goal in the war. Naqdi emphasized that Iran has been successful thus far and intends to maintain its momentum in the future.
An interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran, intended to halt hostilities, was reached in mid-June but is due to expire soon. Naqdi’s remarks come following a breakdown in the ceasefire, leading to a series of exchanges between the U.S. and Iran before a temporary pause.
Naqdi highlighted the value of the ongoing conflict, stating that the longer it persists, the more experience Iran gains. He underscored that the past months have provided crucial learning opportunities on how to combat the U.S., revealing perceived weaknesses in the American military.
President Donald Trump reaffirmed U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, asserting confidence in the nation’s naval blockade. The conflict in the Persian Gulf, initiated by coordinated U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, has seen Trump oscillate between threats of escalation and optimism about a potential peace agreement.
Meanwhile, efforts to reinitiate peace negotiations continue, with Pakistan engaging in talks with Iranian officials. The dispute over Iran’s control of the vital Strait of Hormuz remains a key sticking point, with accusations from both sides regarding failure to uphold commitments made under the June agreement.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, predominantly in Iran and Lebanon. Iran has targeted U.S. assets and infrastructure in several countries across the region. The June ceasefire agreement set a timeframe for finalizing a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program and lift U.S. sanctions, but both parties have escalated rhetoric in recent days.
Iran’s top security official has insisted that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the U.S. meets Iran’s conditions to end the war. Trump, on the other hand, has called for Iran to pay compensation for past conflicts and incidents.