Story
US Demands Iran Publicly Guarantee Safety in Strait of Hormuz
Summary
Senior U.S. officials have stated that Washington is demanding a public commitment from Iran to cease all attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The ultimatum comes amid escalating military tensions in the critical waterway for global oil supplies.
The United States is demanding that Iran issue a public statement guaranteeing it will stop attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and keep all shipping lanes open without imposing tolls, senior U.S. officials said Friday.
The officials, who spoke to a small group of reporters, indicated that conversations between the two nations have been productive but that a public commitment from Tehran is non-negotiable. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which a fifth of the world's oil supply typically passes, making its security crucial for global energy markets.
Escalating Tensions
The U.S. demand follows a recent escalation in the region. According to the officials, three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire this week, which prompted U.S. strikes on Iranian sites. Iran reportedly responded with its own strikes on U.S. military installations in Gulf states, leading President Donald Trump to declare that a ceasefire signed in June is now over.
"What we’re demanding is that the Iranians issue a public statement that acknowledges all channels of the Strait of Hormuz are open and they’re not shooting at ships anymore," one official stated. "They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them." The officials added that Iran has told Washington the recent attacks originated from an "errant part of their system."
AdDiplomatic and Nuclear Stakes
These immediate demands are linked to broader, high-stakes negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. A fundamental U.S. condition for any overarching deal is that Tehran must surrender its nuclear materials, which one official said includes more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium.
This issue is being addressed under a 60-day negotiation period established by a memorandum of understanding signed in June. "I just want to be clear here that if we don’t get the dust, we do not have a deal with Iran," an official said, referencing the uranium. They warned that Washington has "a lot of options," including military and economic measures, if Iran refuses to comply. In a sign of ongoing diplomatic efforts, Iran’s official news agency reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will travel to Oman on Saturday for talks on regional developments.