The Strait of Hormuz Becomes the Front Line of a New Global Deal

Iran has intensified its rhetoric toward the South Caucasus, signaling growing concern over a possible shift in the regional balance of power and the prospect of opening a transport route through Armenia’s Syunik region, which Tehran links to expanding United States influence.

A court in Ankara declared invalid the results of the 38th congress of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), held in November 2023, ordering the return of former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to the party leadership. The decision triggered a political crisis within Turkey’s main opposition force and provoked protests outside the party headquarters in Ankara.

Iran has intensified pressure on Arab Gulf states while deepening coordination with China amid the prolonged crisis around the Strait of Hormuz and the effective deadlock in negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program and regional security.

Negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program have once again moved close to collapse after the two sides exchanged tough conditions amid rising tensions in the Middle East and intensifying diplomatic contacts among Washington, Beijing and Moscow.