The United States has demanded a public Iranian commitment to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping, warning Tehran of severe consequences if attacks on vessels continue.
The ultimatum came as President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was “over”, while confirming that diplomatic contacts would continue through regional mediators. The apparent contradiction underscored the fragility of efforts to prevent the confrontation from returning to full-scale war after two days of strikes and counterstrikes across the Gulf.
US officials want Tehran to state publicly that ships may pass through all channels of the strait safely, freely and without compulsory tolls. Washington has also insisted that Iranian forces and affiliated groups must stop targeting tankers and their crews.
“The Iranians have to come out and say the strait is open, and they are not going to attack ships any more,” a senior US official said. Another warned that there would not be a “good outcome” unless Tehran provided clear assurances.
Iran has not accepted Washington’s account of the diplomatic process. Tehran denied asking for direct negotiations with the United States, saying it had instead agreed to receive Qatari mediators seeking to reduce tensions. Iranian officials have maintained that foreign powers should not dictate arrangements governing the waterway.
The demands follow attacks on three commercial tankers, including vessels linked to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Projectiles struck the ships as traffic was moving through the strait under arrangements established by a June memorandum of understanding.
Iranian officials suggested that elements acting outside the authorised chain of command may have been responsible. That explanation has intensified speculation about divisions between hardliners seeking leverage through maritime pressure and officials favouring negotiated economic relief.
The United States responded with two rounds of strikes on targets inside Iran. US Central Command said the operations were intended to degrade capabilities used to threaten freedom of navigation and commercial crews. Iran retaliated against US military installations and assets across the region.
Around 170 targets were struck during the US campaign, covering missile, drone, naval and command facilities. Washington paused further action while mediators sought assurances that the attacks on shipping would not be repeated.
Trump said the previous truce no longer constrained US military decisions. He nevertheless indicated that Washington had agreed to continue talks, adding that he did not necessarily expect the confrontation to develop into another sustained war.
The ceasefire and broader memorandum signed in June had halted active hostilities, eased restrictions on Iranian oil exports and supported a partial revival of tanker traffic. It also established a 60-day negotiating framework covering Iran’s nuclear programme, frozen assets and the long-term administration of the strait.
Washington has revoked a licence permitting sales of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, giving companies until July 17 to wind down affected transactions. The move restored economic pressure that had been relaxed after the interim agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to negotiations because of its importance to global energy supplies. More than one-quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade and about one-fifth of global oil and petroleum consumption normally move through the narrow passage. Roughly 20 per cent of worldwide liquefied natural gas shipments also use the route, primarily exports from Qatar.
Shipping activity slowed sharply after the latest clashes. Tanker operators delayed voyages, altered sailing schedules or switched off vessel-tracking signals because of fears of further attacks. The disruption pushed oil prices higher and increased insurance and freight costs.
Earlier interruptions caused extensive production shutdowns across Gulf exporters. Crude oil output lost to the disruption averaged about 8.3 million barrels a day in June after reaching an estimated 11.2 million barrels a day in May. Energy planners had expected most affected production to return gradually following the June agreement.
Qatar, Oman, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have intensified efforts to preserve negotiations. Qatari representatives travelled to Tehran, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was expected to hold further discussions in Oman focused on the waterway and wider regional security.
The nuclear dispute remains linked to the maritime crisis. Washington is demanding that Iran surrender more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium and accept permanent limits preventing the restoration of a weapons-capable programme. Tehran has resisted abandoning enrichment rights and is seeking sanctions relief and access to frozen financial assets.
