Three senior US officials said the demand includes a commitment not to fire at commercial vessels. According to a US official, after two days of clashes earlier this week, Iran asked for additional talks. The official described an internal power struggle in Iran over the MOU and next steps in negotiations with the Trump administration.
The United States has demanded that Iran issue a public declaration confirming the Strait of Hormuz is open and commit to not targeting commercial vessels, three senior US officials said in a briefing reported by Barak Ravid. The demand was conveyed both directly and through regional mediators. According to a US official, after two days of clashes earlier this week, Iran approached the US and requested additional talks to resolve outstanding issues. The official described an internal power struggle within the Iranian regime over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the next phase of negotiations with the Trump administration.
The demand follows an earlier warning reported by The New York Times, as The Zioneer noted at 14:23, in which US officials cautioned Iran of consequences if it did not reopen the strait. The present demand adds a specific commitment to refrain from firing on commercial shipping, a point not explicitly detailed in the earlier warning. The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of US-Iran tensions since the IRGC declared a blockade last month, with the US maintaining that shipping continues under naval escort. The MOU signed last week outlines a 30-day return to pre-war capacity under Iranian management, but implementation has been stalled amid internal Iranian debate.
4 developments
- DevelopingIran reportedly rejects Omani plan for alternative southern route to Hormuz under US supervision
- StrongIran issues new direct threat to US over Strait of Hormuz, warns of 'immediate' retaliation
- StrongIran says final agreement talks to start in coming days, Hormuz closure denied
- StrongIran refuses to reverse Hormuz Strait policy, won't commit to deal even in second phase
Source and signal
- Internal intake