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Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/08/03/us-plan-to-tighten-the-noose-around-iran/
The U.S. Plan to Tighten the Noose around Iran
(Israel Hayom) Danny Zaken - The approach currently favored in Washington and most Gulf capitals is to weaken the Iranian regime through economic means. A senior regional diplomatic official told Israel Hayom that all sides are currently playing for time. The Iranians expect further U.S. concessions because of the partial obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz. The Americans are trying to prevent oil prices from rising before the November midterm elections. The Gulf states want to avert attacks on their strategic facilities until a path has been mapped out for removing the Iranian threat. "The current Iranian regime cannot be allowed to remain in place while retaining a threatening military force. The only disagreement is over how to get there, and on what timetable," the official claimed. He said that Israel was providing logistical and intelligence support "behind the scenes." Despite denials from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials, contacts between the U.S. and Iran are continuing, both through intermediaries such as Pakistan and through direct communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Inside Iran, severe shortages of natural gas for power plants and fuel for transportation are worsening. The authorities have been forced to impose power outages and ration fuel.