Jason Greenblatt says that ground troops are also necessary to secure highly enriched uranium in Iran since the Islamic Republic is unlikely to do a deal.
The United States and its allies need to take control of the Strait of Hormuz in order to win the war against Iran, while some ground troops will be necessary to gain control of its highly enriched nuclear uranium, a former White House Middle East envoy said Wednesday.
The comments come as the Islamic Republic has hardened its position over the crucial waterway, where 20% of all traded oil and natural gas is transported in peacetime, and as the U.S. is sending more troops to the Middle East amid a diplomatic push for a ceasefire.
“One way or the other, the U.S. and its allies have to take some sort of control of the Strait of Hormuz to make sure this never happens again…and to ensure that Iran can no longer put the world in danger the way it has done so far,” Jason Greenblatt said in a video briefing to the Jerusalem Press Club.
He noted that Iran is acting “uber-aggressive” in response to this week’s diplomatic overtures, and is making ludicrous demands of tolls and reparations, which, he said, the president will never accept.
