Strait of Hormuz: US Demands Iran Commit to Cease Attacks on Commercial Ships
Image source, Reuters
As part of talks scheduled for Saturday, the United States has urged Iran to publicly declare that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and to commit to halting attacks on commercial vessels.
U.S. media, citing unnamed officials, report that Tehran has internally acknowledged to advisers of President Donald Trump that firing on commercial ships was a mistake.
However, the Iranian side has blamed a rogue internal faction with malicious intent for these attacks.
Trump stated that despite recent conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, both parties agreed this week to continue negotiations — a stance previously interpreted by the White House as a breach of the ceasefire.
According to a ceasefire agreement signed last June between the U.S. and Iran, Tehran partially agreed to allow safe passage for commercial vessels.
What Are Tehran and Washington Saying?
Image source, EPA
Tehran alleges that a “malicious” hardline faction tried to undermine the talks by firing on commercial vessels, senior U.S. officials told the BBC’s American partner CBS News.
“They [the Iranians] returned to the table and said, ‘It was our mistake. We were wrong. Let’s keep talking,'” one official told the TV network.
On Friday, U.S. officials reportedly sent a message through regional intermediaries to Tehran’s leadership.
That message reportedly asked Iran to publicly declare the strait is open and to cease firing on commercial ships, according to U.S. media.
“They either give us that statement, or we won’t give them a favorable outcome,” an official quoted by Reuters said.
According to CBS, the White House wants Iran to publicly admit that firing was a mistake.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country remains firm on the ceasefire and accused the U.S. of violating the agreement.
New Talks
Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and two key Middle East figures—Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—are expected to lead negotiations in Oman on Saturday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi is also anticipated to participate in the talks.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Qatar visited Iran on Friday to ease tensions and facilitate movement through the Strait of Hormuz ahead of the negotiations.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks.”
He added, “We have agreed. But be advised that the United States has stated the ceasefire is over under any ambiguous terms.”
Recent Tensions
Since clashes erupted in the Gulf earlier this week, no new attacks have been reported as of Friday.
The attacks earlier this week marked the most intense exchange of gunfire between the U.S. and Iran following the interim agreement reached in June.
Three ships using routes through Omani waters suggested by the U.S. were targeted in these attacks.
Iran has repeatedly stated it has a separate “safe” passage through its own waters.
Last month, the U.S. and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum aimed at expanding the ceasefire and ending conflicts on all fronts.
Iran’s Position on Hormuz
As part of the agreement, Iran and Oman are to negotiate with other Gulf countries on the future governance and maritime services of the strait.
During rising tensions, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz as its sovereign territory and announced the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage it by granting safe passage.
According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, under the new agreement with the U.S., the Strait of Hormuz will ultimately be managed by Iran in coordination with Oman.
This coordination potentially includes service fees for vessels passing through the strait.
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