Iran has attacked and seized multiple civilian cargo ships attempting to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the fragile ceasefire and ongoing peace talks. Middle East expert Ross Harrison explains that Iran is attempting to maintain escalation parity with the United States to strengthen its negotiating position, rather than conceding to US demands to open the strait. Iran faces mounting pressure from lost revenue and potential US escalation, but aims to survive the conflict and recreate deterrence from a position of strength.

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