Mark Esper calls Iran’s demands to reopen Strait of Hormuz ‘ridiculous’ as tensions escalate
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Iran’s latest conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz are unreasonable and could make negotiations over the vital waterway more difficult.
Esper, who served during President Donald Trump’s first term, said Iran’s demands include the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from the region, compensation for the costs of the war, an end to the U.S. blockade and the lifting of sanctions.
He argued that the demands indicate Iranian leaders believe they have gained leverage by controlling access to the strategic waterway, which is critical to global energy shipments.
According to Esper, Iran’s position suggests its leaders believe they are in a strong negotiating position and are becoming increasingly confident amid the ongoing conflict.
He also warned about shortages of certain U.S. military munitions as the war continues, saying efforts to increase production will take time to produce meaningful results.
Esper pointed specifically to Patriot missile production, noting that manufacturing a new missile can take as long as two years. While increased production would not address immediate shortages, he said it remains important for the country’s long-term military readiness.
A U.S. official recently said American stocks of ballistic missile interceptors are extremely low. The depleted inventories have become a factor as Trump considers potential military options related to the conflict.
Trump has acknowledged that the United States needs additional munitions but said the country has a virtually unlimited supply of some powerful weapons. He also acknowledged that supplies of other weapons are more limited and that additional munitions are arriving daily.
Esper said the current shortages are the result of decisions made over several decades, beginning after the Cold War and continuing through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said the situation worsened during the Biden administration as the United States used or transferred significant quantities of weapons to Ukraine.
The comments come as the conflict with Iran continues to put pressure on U.S. military resources while efforts to negotiate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remain uncertain.
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