TEHRAN, Iran: Iran hardliners are pressing for tougher military and nuclear measures as Tehran faces expanding conflict with the United States and mounting economic pressure at home.
Ultraconservative lawmaker Mohammad Taghi Naghdali has called for a stronger response, while Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has advocated measures to strengthen Iran’s deterrence.
Other hardline figures have renewed calls for Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and further restrict international nuclear monitoring.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Thursday that its navy targeted two U.S. vessels, eight oil tankers and 10 other ships in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. It said the attacks came in response to U.S. strikes on five Iranian tankers.
The calls come as Iran faces severe domestic economic pressure. Food inflation reached 127.5% year on year in the month to late August, while the rial fell to record lows against the dollar.
The International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors also referred Iran to the United Nations Security Council this week over alleged breaches of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Read: Iran-US Tensions Rise as Tehran Warns of Heavier Retaliation
Tehran rejected the decision and accused Western governments of exploiting disruption caused by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities to increase pressure.
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran “could happen” but added that Washington was not currently seeking talks.
