Former U.S. foreign minister said that economic pressure on the Islamic Republic is not sufficient on its own and that, for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, further military actions would also be necessary.

Mike Pompeo, in an interview with Fox News, described the Islamic Republic’s demands in the negotiations as “maximum” and said Tehran officials themselves know they are not in a position to fulfill those demands.

He said that contrary to assessments that a deal is close, “the two sides still have a long way to go before reaching an agreement.”

The former U.S. foreign minister called officials of the Islamic Republic “terrorist hoodlums” and said they are seeking the “destruction of Israel and the United States of America.”

According to him, that is why pressure must be continued on the government of the Islamic Republic, not on the Iranian people.