Mark Esper, the former U.S. defense secretary, said the Islamic Republic’s new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz show that Tehran sees itself in a superior position and does not intend to back down.

In an interview with ABC, Esper called the Islamic Republic’s demands, including the lifting of sanctions, ending the maritime blockade, the withdrawal of U.S. forces, and paying compensation, “ridiculous,” and said these conditions should be rejected immediately. He added that Tehran hopes to force Washington to make concessions by using its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite pointing to the Islamic Republic’s economic crisis, the former U.S. defense minister said these pressures have not yet weakened Tehran’s position. He added that military commanders hold the decision-making and asked the Trump administration to intensify the Islamic Republic’s economic blockade in cooperation with America’s allies in Europe and Asia.

Esper also described the Houthi attacks on the Jazan refinery in Saudi Arabia and an attack attributed to the Islamic Republic on a vessel linked to an Emirati state oil company as signs of Tehran and its allies’ efforts to expand the conflict, and said officials in the Islamic Republic believe they have the upper hand in this confrontation.