US issues ultimatum to Iran over attacks in Strait of Hormuz

The US demand for a public Iranian commitment focuses specifically on guaranteeing safe passage for commercial shipping and confirming that all channels of the strait remain open to global maritime traffic.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The United States has demanded that Iran publicly pledge by Saturday to stop attacking commercial ships and explicitly acknowledge that all channels of the Strait of Hormuz are open to global shipping, as Washington presses Tehran over the security of civilian and merchant vessels in the critical waterway.

US officials told reporters Friday that the demand had been conveyed to Tehran through regional mediators.

Washington is seeking a clear, public guarantee from Iran that civilian and merchant ships transiting the strait will not be targeted.

The ultimatum comes following a breakdown in the ceasefire and renewed US military strikes on Iranian coastal and military targets.

Three commercial tankers were attacked earlier this week, prompting an exchange of strikes with the United States.

Iran told American officials that the shootings were a mistake and blamed a rogue internal group, US media reported.

President Donald Trump has said the Iranian attacks mean the ceasefire is over, while maintaining that negotiations aimed at ending the war will continue. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of violating the deal.

Qatari mediators and Iranian officials are holding urgent talks in Oman in an effort to de-escalate the situation and address the continuing crisis in the waterway, Reuters reported.

Iran has claimed that the recent attacks on ships were carried out by a “rogue” faction within its system.

Tehran has separately maintained that activity and policing in the Strait of Hormuz “rests exclusively with Iran” and threatened retaliation against countries cooperating with the United States.

The dispute has disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to rising crude oil prices.

The waterway accounts for roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil supply.

The US demand for a public Iranian commitment focuses specifically on guaranteeing safe passage for commercial shipping and confirming that all channels of the strait remain open to global maritime traffic.

Tehran faces a Saturday deadline to make the declaration as diplomatic efforts continue in Oman.