The United States is pressing Iran to publicly confirm that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and to promise it will stop targeting commercial ships. The demand comes as high-level negotiations are expected in Oman, following renewed clashes that have shaken a fragile ceasefire.
Washington Seeks Public Commitment From Tehran
U.S. officials want Iran to issue a clear public statement declaring the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial vessels.
Washington is also asking Tehran to acknowledge that recent attacks on ships were a mistake and to pledge that such incidents will not continue.
According to U.S. media reports citing unnamed officials, Iranian representatives privately told Trump administration advisers that the attacks were wrong, while blaming them on a rogue internal hardline group.
Trump Says Talks Will Continue, but Ceasefire Is Over
President Donald Trump said Iran had asked to continue talks and that the United States agreed.
However, he also stated that the ceasefire was over after recent attacks near the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House viewed those incidents as a violation of the June ceasefire agreement, which included safe passage for commercial ships.
Iran Accuses U.S. of Breaking the Deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected Washington’s version of events.
He said Iran had kept its commitments under the ceasefire and accused the United States of violating the agreement.
The competing claims have deepened mistrust between the two sides as mediators try to keep negotiations alive.
Saturday Talks Expected in Oman
Saturday’s talks are expected to involve senior U.S. figures, including Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Araqchi is also expected to participate.
The talks are expected to focus heavily on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and whether Iran will provide the public assurances demanded by Washington.
U.S. Officials Warn of Consequences
U.S. officials reportedly sent a message through regional mediators to Iran’s leadership, demanding a formal statement on shipping safety.
One official, quoted in media reports, said Iran must provide that statement or face a negative outcome.
The United States is also seeking a public admission that firing on commercial ships was an error.
Qatar Steps In to Reduce Tensions
A delegation from Qatar travelled to Iran on Friday for talks aimed at calming the situation.
The discussions are focused on easing tensions and improving safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar has been one of several regional mediators working to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
Trump Issues Threat Over Reported Assassination Plot
Trump also responded to reports that Iran had recently planned to assassinate him.
In a Truth Social post, he warned that the U.S. military would devastate Iran if such an attack were attempted.
The warning followed U.S. media reports that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington about a fresh Iranian plot targeting Trump.
Khamenei Funeral Adds to Tensions
The assassination threat discussion came after open calls for Trump’s death at the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was buried this week after being killed in an Israeli strike on his Tehran residence on February 28, the first day of Iran’s war with the United States and Israel.
The funeral rhetoric added another volatile layer to the already tense diplomatic environment.
No New Attacks Reported Friday
No fresh attacks were reported Friday after fighting erupted earlier in the week in the Gulf region.
The recent exchange marked the most serious confrontation between the United States and Iran since the interim deal was signed in June.
Three commercial ships were struck while travelling along a U.S.-recommended route through Omani waters.
Iran has repeatedly argued that the only safe passage is through a separate route in Iranian waters.
Dispute Over Control of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the conflict.
Last month, the United States and Iran agreed to a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at extending the ceasefire and ending fighting on multiple fronts.
As part of that understanding, Iran and Oman are expected to discuss the future management of maritime services in the strait with other Gulf states.
During the conflict, Iran also tried to assert greater control over the waterway by creating the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which it said would manage safe passage permits.
Possible Future Fees for Ships
Iranian state-linked reports have suggested that, under a future arrangement, the strait could be managed by Iran in coordination with Oman.
Those reports also raised the possibility of service fees for ships travelling through the waterway.
That idea remains highly sensitive because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments.
The latest U.S.-Iran dispute now centres on control, safety and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington wants Tehran to publicly reopen the waterway, stop attacks on commercial ships and admit recent strikes were a mistake.
Although Trump says the ceasefire is over, negotiations are still moving forward through Oman and regional mediators. The outcome may determine whether the region moves toward de-escalation or faces another dangerous round of conflict.