The United States has demanded that Iran publicly declare a halt to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and permit free, toll-free passage through the strategic waterway, a senior US official said Friday, according to media reports.
US Official's Statement
"We want them to publicly say that they will stop shooting at ships and explicitly, or at least implicitly, acknowledge that they screwed up. We are working on that now," the official stated. "We expect the Iranians to say ... that every channel in the strait will be open and that it will be toll-free."
Iranian Diplomatic Moves
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to travel to Oman on Saturday at the head of a delegation for talks on bilateral relations and regional developments, with a particular focus on the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported Friday.
Warning of Consequences
Another US official cautioned about repercussions should Iran refuse the demand. "If it is not their position (on Saturday), it is not gonna be a great day for them," the official warned.
Background Context
Earlier Friday, US President Donald Trump said Iran had sought to resume negotiations, and Washington agreed, although he noted that the June ceasefire was "over." The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption there could have significant economic and security implications.
