WASHINGTON, United States: Indiana Republican Senator Todd Young urged an end to offensive Iran strikes while retaining Washington’s blockade, Iran International reported Friday.
Young said the United States might lack sufficient leverage to secure Iran’s nuclear materials and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, he said Washington should keep the blockade because it would “slowly constrict” Iran’s economy. Iran International published the interview at 8pm BST Friday, August 7.
Young’s office said in April that he defined victory as reopening Hormuz and securing Iran’s uranium supply. His latest remarks add Republican opposition to further offensive bombing while negotiations continue.
Meanwhile, Iran said its talks with Oman had reached the final drafting stage for a proposed shipping route. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said both countries agreed on the route’s geographical features.
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However, he warned that an agreement would not immediately reopen the waterway while the US blockade and military threats continued.
The Associated Press reported a potential interim system would route inbound ships through Iranian-controlled waters and outbound vessels through an Omani lane.
Washington opposes any plan letting Tehran charge transit fees, while Iran demands some control over the international waterway.
About 20% of the world’s oil normally passes through Hormuz. At least two ships were hit during the past week, Lloyd’s List Intelligence told AP.
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Other vessels reported near misses or warnings from groups claiming Revolutionary Guard ties. Weekly transits rose from 45 to 84 but remained far below the pre-crisis norm above 700.
