US Demands Iran Publicly Vow to End Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

The United States is demanding a public declaration from Iran that it will stop all attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee unrestricted passage through the vital waterway, senior U.S. officials said Friday.

The ultimatum comes amid escalating military exchanges that threaten supply security in a chokepoint that typically handles about one-fifth of the world's oil supply.

Washington's Conditions

Speaking to reporters, the officials outlined non-negotiable terms for de-escalation. "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 added that failure to provide such a statement would not lead to a "good outcome for them."

Despite the firm stance, officials described recent conversations between the two nations as productive. They relayed that Iran has characterized recent attacks on shipping as actions from "an errant part of their system," suggesting a possible internal power struggle between hardline and pragmatic factions within the Iranian government.

Recent Escalations and Diplomatic Channels

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The U.S. demands follow a volatile week in the region. Three commercial tankers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia came under fire, which prompted U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iranian sites. Iran then responded with its own strikes on U.S. military installations in Gulf states.

Following the exchange, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that a ceasefire agreement signed in June was over. In a sign that diplomatic channels remain open, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is scheduled to travel to Oman on Saturday for talks on regional developments.

Broader Nuclear Negotiations

The maritime tensions are linked to a larger, more fundamental U.S. demand regarding Iran's nuclear program. Officials emphasized that any broader agreement is contingent on Tehran surrendering its nuclear materials, which they said includes more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium.

"I just want to be clear here that if we don’t get the dust, we do not have a deal with Iran," one official said, referencing the uranium. The nuclear issue is being addressed under a 60-day negotiation period established by a memorandum of understanding signed in June. The official warned that the U.S. has "a lot of options," including military and economic measures, if Iran refuses to comply.