Iran has rejected talks it deems “meaningless” and has threatened a “ground invasion” against the UAE and Bahrain, labeling them as “mutual targets” in a strong response to Donald Trump. The tensions could once again put Dubai in the center of the conflict, as Iran presented its four key demands for negotiations with Trump, which include establishing control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, Tehran had vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as long as the US maintains its blockade. Following stalled US-Iran peace talks and Iran’s seizure of two cargo ships in the area, tensions have risen. Iran’s state media, Fars News Agency, has highlighted four crucial points as red lines for negotiation, such as sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and addressing the nuclear issue.
Iran asserts that negotiations are futile due to these obstacles. It emphasized that it does not need to engage in talks to end the confrontation, stating that the enemy must comprehend the “rules of the game.” Iran warned that any ground attack on its infrastructure would trigger a response targeting power and oil facilities across the region.
The statement also mentioned that assassinations would be met with a specific response, and compensation or asset release issues could be resolved through written solutions without face-to-face negotiations. Iran believes that direct or indirect talks only benefit the enemy by providing time and credibility without being essential for Iran’s interests.