Iran situation a 'game of shadow boxing' with unpredictable endgame

Former diplomat Mahesh Sachdev describes the Iran situation as a 'game of shadow boxing' with an unpredictable endgame, citing Tehran's diplomatic moves with Oman to counter pressure from the UN and the US over the Strait of Hormuz.

Former diplomat Mahesh Sachdev on Friday described the evolving situation around Iran amid the West Asia conflict as a "game of shadow boxing", stating that the endgame of US President Donald Trump remains as unpredictable as the military campaign against the Islamic Republic itself.

Speaking to ANI on the recent geopolitical developments in the region, Sachdev pointed to parallel diplomatic and strategic manoeuvres involving the United Nations Security Council, regional actors, and global powers. He noted that while the UNSC is discussing a Bahraini-backed draft resolution aimed at compelling Iran to reopen the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz and halt attacks, Tehran has simultaneously announced a potential protocol with Oman regarding the navigability of the same waterway.

A Game of Shadow Boxing

According to Sachdev, these moves indicate Iran's attempt to deflect mounting international pressure, including deliberations by nearly 40 countries meeting in London alongside UN-level discussions. "While the United Nations Security Council is discussing a Bahraini draft to compel Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and stop attacking, Iran has announced that it's going to have a protocol with Oman about the navigability of the Strait of Hormuz. So they are trying to deflect that kind of pressure coming from 40 countries meeting in London and the United Nations Security Council putting pressure on them through a resolution," he said.

"So all told, I think there is a huge game of shadow boxing going on. And this game has no definitive conclusion," Sachdev added. He further observed that Trump's approach leaves multiple possibilities open -- ranging from securing a ceasefire deal to exiting without any agreement -- and also referenced the US President's unilateral claims of having significantly degraded Iran's military capabilities, including its nuclear infrastructure, missile systems, navy, air force, and air defences. "As Mr Trump keeps the option of having a ceasefire deal or leaving without any ceasefire deal or any deal whatsoever with Iran, having unilaterally claimed to obliterate Iranian infrastructure, nuclear establishments, missiles, navy, air force, and air defences. So all put together, the endgame is as unpredictable as the campaign itself has been and raises the prospect of this beginning the same way ending the same way as abruptly as it had begun," the former diplomat said.

Parallel Diplomatic and Strategic Moves

His remarks come amid parallel development on the West Asia conflict, where the UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on Friday (US time) on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to authorise member states to use "all defensive means necessary" to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict, as reported by CNN. Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council and has been under fire from Iran amid the conflict, urged an international response to threats against global navigation routes.

Iran's Counter-Diplomacy with Oman

On the other hand, Iran is in the final stages of preparing a draft protocol aimed at establishing a new navigation regime in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to initiate discussions with Oman for a joint framework, as stated by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi during an interview with Sputnik.

During the interview, Gharibabadi stated, "The draft of this protocol is currently in the final stages of preparation. Once we have it ready, we will begin negotiations with Oman so that we can draft a joint protocol." He indicated that the proposed protocol is intended to regulate navigation in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran seeking cooperation from Oman to develop a mutually agreed mechanism, as reported by Sputnik. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)