US wants Iran to pledge to stop shooting at ships in Strait of Hormuz
The US is demanding that Iran publicly pledge to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and cease firing on commercial vessels following recent skirmishes. Negotiations are set to continue in Oman despite the ongoing tensions and reported internal Iranian disputes.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping chokepoint; instability there directly impacts global oil prices and international trade security.
Figure caption, Fire blazes in Iran after "powerful" US strikes
The US wants Iran to publicly state that the Strait of Hormuz is open and to pledge to stop firing on commercial ships as part of negotiations due to be held on Saturday.
US media cited unnamed officials as saying Tehran had privately acknowledged to President Donald Trump's advisers that the shooting at ships was a mistake, though the Iranians reportedly pinned the blame on a rogue internal group.
Trump has said both sides have agreed to continue talks despite this week's fighting over the Strait of Hormuz.
In June the US and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement where Iran would, in part, give safe passage to commercial ships.
Tehran said that an "errant" sect of hardliners was trying to undermine negotiations by firing on the commercial ships, senior US officials told CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in