BREAKING: Ex-US Naval Chief, Harward, Says Iran Using Strait Of Hormuz Tensions To Gain Negotiating Advantage

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According to a report by NEWSMAX, on Monday 11 of May 2026, former Vice Adm. Robert Harward has stated that the recent clashes between Iranian and US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz are an attempt by Tehran to fortify its negotiating position and postpone discussions with Washington.

While Iran deals with mounting internal and external pressure, the most recent small-boat manoeuvres by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are more about extending diplomatic discussions, according to Harward, who spoke on Saturday’s America Right Now on Newsmax.

“Either one is somewhat irrelevant to the bigger issue, and that’s that the Iranians are going to try to draw out as much time as possible,” Harward said, referring to the fact that the incidents could have been authorised directly by Tehran or carried out independently by field commanders. Harward had previously served as deputy commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM). “The blockade is very effective.”

He insisted that American Navy ships can easily deal with such dangers.

While Iranian speedboats are “very tactical” in their operations, American warships “can fend for themselves very well” thanks to modern defence systems, claims Harward.

He stated that the most recent confrontations are “a play to have influence on the negotiations” due to the mounting political and economic tensions within Iran. Trump is using the embargo, according to Harward, to put pressure “not only on the regime but to the people of Iran as well.”

Following the breakdown of diplomatic discussions in Islamabad on April 13, the naval blockade was initiated. Trump then gave the Navy the command to intercept ships going into and out of Iranian ports after the breach.

In the Strait of Hormuz, tensions rose to new heights late Thursday as three U.S. destroyers engaged Iranian Marines in gunfire. Subsequently, Trump minimised the event, referring to it as “just a love tap” and adamantly stating that the truce from April 8 is still valid.

In his statement, Harward said, “We’re talking about a framework here. The diplomatic efforts that are currently underway are only the beginning of a larger process.” We aren’t formally discussing a transaction. Our conversation revolves around an agreement to create an agreement.

Even after the midterm elections, he hinted that talks would continue.

According to reports, Washington has reportedly sent Tehran a brief memorandum of understanding. An end to uranium enrichment, the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, sanctions relief, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a 30-day technical negotiating window are supposedly all included of the proposal.

If a future agreement allows Iran to keep any of its enriched uranium, Harward said, “I don’t believe so.”

The stockpile, he said, was “the core of the strategic risk,” and he cautioned that Iran’s breakout time had been shortened to roughly a week. He claimed that dismantling the substance “would take decades for them to reconstitute that capability.”

Even once uranium is removed, missiles and drones would still be a security problem, according to Harward. People in Iran “have suffered miserably under these guys,” he added, adding “the really ultimate end state” would be a government that “renounces Islamic revolution.”