US seeks public Iranian pledge to end attacks in Strait of Hormuz

The United States is seeking a public commitment from Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and halt attacks on commercial shipping as the two sides prepare to resume talks in Oman on Saturday (July 11), according to US officials cited by American media.

The demand follows recent security incidents in the strategic waterway, which Washington views as a violation of the ceasefire agreement reached with Tehran in June.

Under that agreement, Iran was expected to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait.

According to US officials, Iran has privately acknowledged to advisers to President Donald Trump that the attack on commercial ships was a mistake, blaming the incident on a rogue hardline faction acting without authorisation. Washington is now pressing Tehran to make that position public and formally pledge to prevent further attacks.

Senior US officials said the message had been conveyed to Iran through regional mediators ahead of the negotiations. The White House also wants Tehran to publicly reaffirm that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping.

The US delegation is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who has played a key role in Middle East diplomacy.

Meanwhile, a Qatari delegation visited Tehran on Friday as part of regional efforts to ease tensions and safeguard maritime navigation in the Gulf.

No new attacks were reported on Friday after last week's exchange of fire involving commercial vessels, raising cautious optimism that diplomatic efforts could help prevent a further escalation in one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.