Reuters reported that senior U.S. officials said on Friday, July 10, that Washington has asked Iran’s regime to formally and publicly commit to ending attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and to ensure that all shipping lanes through the international waterway remain open to vessels without tolls or restrictions.
Speaking to a group of reporters during a conference call, the officials described the recent talks between the two sides as constructive.
One U.S. official said: “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. They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them.”
Another senior U.S. official said that Iran’s regime had informed Washington that the recent attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz were carried out by “an errant part of their system.”
Another U.S. official also claimed that a power struggle is underway within Iran’s ruling establishment between hardline and pragmatic factions, and that these internal divisions have affected decision-making.
The remarks came after attacks on three ships earlier this week prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to order military strikes against targets in Iran and declare that the ceasefire established between the two countries in June had come to an end.
Reuters reported that Washington is now insisting on a public guarantee from Iran’s regime to ensure maritime security and preserve freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
