Former Trump War Secretary: Iran has upper hand in war

Pars Today – Mark Esper, who served as US war secretary during Trump’s first administration, said Iran currently has the upper hand in the war, adding that Iranian leaders are confident about their position in negotiations and the leverage they have through control of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Pars Today, citing IRIB News, Esper told ABC News that Iran’s new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring shipping activity to pre-war levels indicate that Iranian leaders have become confident in their position at the negotiating table and in the leverage they possess through control of the strategic waterway.

He added: “This shows that they believe they have the upper hand and think they are winning; and, in fact, they are. That’s what we are dealing with now.”

Esper also said the new conditions show that Iran has “become bolder” and more confident in its position in the world. According to him, Tehran is simultaneously demonstrating its strength by using its regional proxies.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Esper addressed the depletion of some US ammunition stockpiles during the war with Iran, saying the Trump administration is seeking to mitigate the impact of these shortages by increasing production, although some weapons take a considerable amount of time to manufacture.