The risk of a blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the rescue operation for the downed US fighter jet pilot in Iran, which the latter considers a failure, are prompting the US to hold talks with Tehran, according to an Iranian source in politics and security, reports Al Mayadeen television of Lebanon.

“In the current circumstances, two main factors are prompting [US President Donald] Trump to hold talks with Iran: the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Isfahan operation. The Trump administration takes the threat of closing the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait with the utmost seriousness, especially after the disclosure of specific operational movements,” the source said.

The interlocutor believes that the US realizes that it cannot achieve real success against Iran either on land or at sea.