Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper described Iran's latest demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as "ridiculous" and likely to stall any negotiation process. Esper, who served under former President Donald Trump, told ABC News that Iran's conditions, such as the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from the region, reimbursement for war costs, and the end of sanctions and blockades, have gone "beyond the pale."
According to Esper, the new set of requirements indicates that Iranian leadership feels confident in their negotiating position and the leverage they possess by controlling the critical waterway. "It shows that they believe that they have the upper hand, they believe they are winning, and they are already," Esper said. "These demands they have now raised last night show that they are emboldened, that they feel confident about their position in the world, and at the same time they are flexing their muscles by using their proxies."
Esper also addressed the U.S. shortage of certain munitions amid the ongoing conflict with Iran and the administration's efforts to increase production. "The administration is trying hard in multiple ways," he stated, adding that the long lead times for producing items like Patriot missiles mean current efforts will not provide short-term relief but are necessary for strategic reasons.
U.S. stockpiles of ballistic missile interceptors are reportedly "extremely low," according to a U.S. official who spoke to ABC News last week and declined to provide specific numbers. These reduced stockpiles are a factor as President Trump considers military options in the conflict. Trump acknowledged on Thursday the need for more munitions, noting that while some powerful types of ammunition have a "virtually unlimited supply," others are "a little bit tighter" and are being acquired daily.
Esper attributed the munitions shortage to issues dating back decades, exacerbated by decisions made after the Cold War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also stated that the problem accelerated during the Biden administration due to munitions expended or provided to Ukraine.