US Seeks Iran’s Assurance to Cease Attacks on Ships in Hormuz Strait
US wants Iran to pledge to stop – The United States has called on Iran to issue a public declaration affirming the open status of the Strait of Hormuz and to commit to halting assaults on commercial vessels, as part of upcoming talks scheduled for Saturday. Regional mediators are said to have relayed a message to Iranian leadership, urging them to release a statement confirming the strait remains accessible and that they will not target ships passing through it, according to multiple media outlets.
Unnamed US officials indicated that Tehran had privately admitted to Trump’s advisors that the recent attacks on ships were an error, though the country attributed the actions to a faction of hardliners acting independently. A senior official told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that Iran’s leadership had returned to negotiations and acknowledged their mistake, stating, “We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let’s keep talking.”
Background of the Ceasefire Agreement
In June, the US and Iran finalized a ceasefire agreement that included Iran’s obligation to allow safe passage for commercial ships. However, tensions resurfaced this week when three vessels were struck while navigating a US-recommended route in Omani waters, marking the most severe skirmish between the nations since the interim deal was signed. Iran has maintained that its own waters provide the sole “safe” passage, a stance that reportedly led to the attacks.
“They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them,” said a US official, as reported by Reuters.
The White House emphasized that the ceasefire is now fully in effect, despite the recent clashes. President Trump reiterated this on Truth Social, noting that Iran had requested continued talks and that the US had made it clear the ceasefire was over. The upcoming negotiations, led by Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, will involve Jared Kushner and aim to resolve disputes over the strait’s management.
Meanwhile, a Qatar delegation arrived in Iran on Friday to assist in easing tensions and facilitating smoother maritime traffic. Iran’s Fars news agency claimed the new agreement would see the strait administered by Tehran in collaboration with Oman, potentially introducing “service fees” for ships using the route. This development follows a significant drop in the number of oil, gas, and cargo vessels opting for the US-backed passage through Hormuz.
