Publicly declare Strait of Hormuz open, won't attack ships: U.S. demand to Iran
The US has issued a demand for Iran to publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open and safe for transit. Meanwhile, internal power struggles in Tehran and the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei complicate the ceasefire negotiations.
Why it matters
The potential collapse of the ceasefire and the power vacuum in Iran pose a significant risk of escalating the conflict in the Middle East.
The U.S. is demanding that Iran issue a public statement declaring the Strait of Hormuz is open, and that ships crossing the vital corridor won't be attacked, senior U.S. officials said Friday (July 10, 2026), adding that internal power struggles in Tehran have made it difficult to reach and maintain a deal.
The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe to reporters the state of play with Iran, said the resumption of strikes this week came after what they described as a rogue faction of Iranian hard-liners trying to sabotage the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.
It comes as U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on social media Friday (July 10, 2026) that he views the interim ceasefire deal as "OVER!" But he said the U.S. would continue talks aimed at putting a permanent end to the war.
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