Mudar Zahran
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Western sources: The United States has conditioned securing at least two military bases inside Iranian territory. Several sites are proposed, at the top of the list Bandar Abbas—the city under Chinese military and intelligence influence—which sits at the most strategic point at the head of the Khalid Strait (known as the Strait of Hormuz). The other, more likely location is near the city of Isfahan.
Iran is capitulating… and America is preparing to expel China from Iran, the crown jewel of its influence in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz will remain in American hands, now open to everyone except Iran… which in practical terms means cutting China off from oil.
The US will need to cut off China from Iran to make this work. The Chinese are willing and able to bolster their “crown jewel” in Iran and will do so if they are not hindered. When Iran is detached from China, they will quite quickly surrender. However, the eastern and southern flanks need to be monitored too.