US blockade of Hormuz will force Iran to come to peace table? Ex-US diplomat shares insight

Apr 21, 2026

Boston (USA), April 21, 2026 (ANI): US diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to Cape Verde Donald Heflin noted that Iran has long sought to develop weapons-grade capabilities while facing international efforts to limit them, but argues that Iran may now see its strategic leverage less in nuclear arms and more in its influence over the Strait of Hormuz. He suggests that control or disruption of this key waterway has effectively become a powerful deterrent, especially as Iran remains heavily reliant on oil exports and essential imports under sanctions pressure. According to Heflin, both Iran and the United States are using the strait as leverage in their broader standoff—Washington aiming to pressure Tehran back into negotiations through economic constraints, while Iran counters by emphasizing its ability to affect global energy flows. He ultimately characterizes the situation as a gradual, uneven diplomatic process, with progress and setbacks occurring in tandem.