WASHINGTON — The United States is demanding that Iran issue a public statement declaring the Strait of Hormuz open for commercial navigation and pledge to cease all attacks on merchant vessels, as high-stakes negotiations are set to begin Saturday in Oman, according to multiple US officials.
The demand comes amid escalating tensions following this week’s outbreak of hostilities in the strategic waterway, which the White House characterized as a violation of the June ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
Private Admission, Public Demand
Citing unnamed senior officials, US media reports indicate that Tehran has privately acknowledged to President Donald Trump’s advisers that the recent shooting at commercial ships was a mistake. However, Iranian representatives reportedly attributed the attacks to a “rogue” internal faction rather than official state policy.
“They [the Iranians] came back to the table and said, ‘We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let’s keep talking,'” one senior US official told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
Despite this private admission, Washington is pressing for a public commitment. According to Reuters, one official briefed reporters on Friday stating: “They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them.”
The White House also wants Iran to publicly acknowledge that firing on commercial shipping was an error, CBS News reported.
High-Level Delegation to Lead Talks
Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—both heavily involved in Middle East negotiations—are expected to lead the US delegation at Saturday’s talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is also scheduled to attend, according to reports.
Trump Declares Ceasefire ‘OVER’
In a post on Truth Social earlier Friday, President Trump wrote: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”
The president’s declaration came after this week’s fighting in the Gulf region, which marked the worst exchange of fire between the US and Iran since the two nations signed an interim agreement in June.
Iran Maintains Ceasefire Compliance
Araqchi pushed back against US accusations, stating on X that his country had “kept its word” on the ceasefire and alleging that the US had violated the deal.
Tehran has maintained that an “errant” sect of hardliners was attempting to undermine negotiations by targeting commercial vessels, senior US officials told CBS News.
Qatar Steps In to Mediate
A delegation from Qatar travelled to Iran on Friday for separate talks aimed at defusing regional tensions and easing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported.
Trump Warns Iran Over Assassination Threat
In the early hours of Saturday, Trump also addressed reports that Iran had devised plans to assassinate him. The Wall Street Journal and other US media reported this week that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington regarding an alleged Iranian plot against the US president.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump warned that the US military would “completely decimate and destroy all areas” of Iran in retaliation for any such attack.
There were also open calls for Trump’s death at the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran on February 28—the first day of Iran’s war with the US and Israel.
Background: The June Ceasefire Agreement
In June, the US and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement that required Iran to, in part, provide safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of global oil production passes.
Last month, the two nations agreed on a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at extending the ceasefire and ending conflict “on all fronts.” As part of that agreement, Iran and Oman were tasked with holding talks with other Gulf states “to define the future administration and maritime services” in the strait.
Iran’s Sovereignty Claims
Throughout the conflict, Iran has sought to assert its sovereignty over the strait, including by establishing the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority,” which it claimed would manage “safe passage permits.”
Iran’s Fars news agency has reported that under the new US deal, the strait would ultimately be managed by Iran in coordination with Oman, including possible “service fees” for ships transiting the waterway.
No fresh attacks were reported on Friday, following this week’s outbreak of hostilities in which three ships were struck while using a US-recommended route through Omani waters. Iran has repeatedly insisted that the only “safe” passage is a separate route through its territorial waters.
