Alhasan: Iran Has Held the Gulf States & Hormuz Hostage

Hasan Alhasan, Senior Fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, stated that Iran has historically held the Gulf states and the Strait of Hormuz hostage. Alhasan discussed US-Gulf relations with Bloomberg's Abeer Abu Omar on Horizons Middle East and Africa. Mediators have indicated that the United States and Iran have achieved encouraging progress in negotiations for a peace deal, with technical-level discussions ongoing. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a focal point of geopolitical tension due to Iran's strategic positioning and its past threats to disrupt maritime traffic. The ongoing talks aim to de-escalate regional tensions and secure freedom of navigation in this critical waterway. The International Institute for Strategic Studies provides analysis on international security and geopolitical affairs, contributing to discussions on regional stability.