00:00A dramatic diplomatic move may be unfolding behind the scenes as Washington reportedly turns to Moscow for help with one
00:09of the most dangerous flashpoints of the Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz.
00:14According to two senior Iranian sources familiar with the discussions, Russian officials briefed Iranian counterparts about a message allegedly delivered
00:23during CIA director John Ratcliffe's surprise visit to Moscow.
00:28The message, according to those sources, was direct.
00:32Washington wanted Russia to help pressure Tehran and restore freer passage through the strategic waterway, but Moscow reportedly rejected the
00:41request.
00:42Ratcliffe's trip to Moscow was unusual from the beginning.
00:46The CIA director reportedly traveled to the Russian capital without advance public announcement,
00:51with flight tracking data showing a U.S. military transport aircraft traveling from Joint Base Andrews to Moscow.
00:58U.S. officials confirmed the visit took place, but did not publicly reveal its purpose or the people involved.
01:05Iranian sources now claim the Strait of Hormuz was at the center of the discussions.
01:11The sources say Washington wanted Moscow to use its influence with Tehran to help reopen the waterway.
01:17According to the Iranian sources, Washington also delivered a warning.
01:23Russian banks, traders, and shipping companies connected to Iranian oil, gold, and aviation could face new U.S. sanctions unless
01:32Moscow helped close those channels and pressured Iran.
01:35The threat came just one day after Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced Operation Economic Outcast.
01:43The campaign is designed to target Iran's financial lifelines and punish entities that continue supporting Tehran.
01:50But Moscow reportedly dismissed the pressure, telling Iran that the threatened measures would have limited consequences.
01:57The timing is critical. The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the biggest pressure points in the confrontation between
02:04Washington and Tehran.
02:06Any prolonged disruption of shipping through the waterway can send shockwaves through global energy markets.
02:12Iran's ability to restrict or threaten maritime traffic gives Tehran a powerful bargaining tool.
02:19Washington wants that leverage removed.
02:22Operation Economic Outcast dramatically expands the stakes.
02:27The Treasury has targeted more than 60 entities, individuals, and vessels while warning countries and companies that continue doing business
02:35with Iran.
02:36Washington is also threatening secondary sanctions and possible exclusion from the U.S. dollar system.
02:42For American policymakers, the objective is clear. Make supporting Iran financially dangerous.
02:49But Russia is already operating under extensive Western sanctions.
02:54If the Iranian account is accurate, Moscow's response could represent a serious setback for Washington.
03:01Russia has little incentive to surrender its strategic relationship with Tehran simply because the United States demands it.
03:08And sanctions against Russian entities already facing extensive restrictions may have less additional impact than Washington hopes.
03:16But forcing Russia to pressure Iran may prove far more complicated than simply imposing another round of sanctions.
03:25The bigger picture is becoming increasingly tense.
03:28Washington wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened.
03:31Iran can use the waterway as leverage.
03:34Russia has close ties with Tehran.
03:37And now, according to Iranian sources, Moscow has reportedly rejected a U.S. request to intervene.
03:44The account remains unverified.
03:46Neither the White House nor the Kremlin have publicly confirmed the details of Ratcliffe's discussions.
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