Seyed M. Marandi: The Strike That Wiped Out Trump’s Plan (It’s Over)

Professor Marandi asserts that the Trump White House's public statements about sending envoys like Jared Kushner to negotiate with Iran are disingenuous. These claims serve to portray Iran as weak and willing to capitulate, either to buy time for strategic repositioning or to create a pretext for military assault by claiming Iran broke promises.

The White House announced sending Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to talk with Iranians in Islamabad, despite Iran having no direct or indirect negotiations. Marandi states, 'The dishonesty of the Trump White House I think is clear for for everyone.'

Contrary to Western media narratives promoted by Trump, Marandi emphasizes that Iran's leadership is not fractured. He details a clear decision-making structure involving the Leader, the Supreme National Security Council (which includes heads of government branches and military leaders), and Dr. Walib as the designated negotiator operating within a defined framework.

Marandi states, 'No, there's no fracture in Iran.' He outlines the roles of the Leader, the Supreme National Security Council, and Dr. Walib, concluding, 'It's clear who the decision maker is. It's Dr. Walib.'

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz for ships linked to 'hostile countries' (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia) is a direct Iranian response to Israeli ceasefire violations and subsequent US embargoes on Iranian ports. This action is designed to exacerbate the global economic crisis, pressuring the US to prioritize its own economic interests over those of the Israeli regime.

Marandi explains that after Netanyahu's ceasefire violation and Trump's embargo on Iranian ports, Iran maintained the closure, stating, 'What Netanyahu and Trump did through their violations was to increase the global economic crisis.' He adds, 'Iran is trying to force the United States to prioritize its interests over Israeli regime interests.'

Iran views its sovereignty and control over the Strait of Hormuz as non-negotiable. This control is not solely about revenue but primarily about national security, preventing the rebuilding of US military bases in the Persian Gulf, and holding complicit Gulf regimes accountable for their role in aggression against Iran.

Marandi states, 'Iran is not going to submit and to give up its sovereign rights.' Regarding the Strait, he says, 'The Iranians are not going to relinquish control of the state and it's not simply about money... a big part of it is security... a large part of this is also about reparations.'

Iran will not engage in further negotiations with the US until existing commitments, specifically the ceasefire agreement, are fully implemented. Key Iranian demands include an end to the US siege on Iranian ports and the return of any hijacked Iranian ships, as these are considered acts of war and violations of current agreements.

Marandi explains, 'The US violation of the ceasefire. The United States has has imposed a siege on Iranian ports. These are acts of war.' He suggests Iran would demand 'an end to the siege and the return of all of of the Iranian ships that have been hijacked.'

Iran considers Lebanon a critical strategic asset and will not abandon it. Marandi emphasizes that Iran will treat Lebanon's security with the same importance as its nuclear program or its own borders, willing to make significant sacrifices for its ally.

Marandi states, 'The Iranians are not going to relinquish Lebanon at all.' He adds, 'Iran will treat Lebanon as it treats its nuclear program. It will treat Lebanon as it treats as it deals with its own borders. It will not allow Lebanon to be sacrificed.'