US Demands Iran Guarantee Navigation Safety in Strait of Hormuz After Tanker Attacks
Following the shooting of three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the US has demanded Iran guarantee safe navigation. Iran has unofficially admitted the attacks were not intentional, while tensions remain high despite a June ceasefire.
Tensions have escalated again in the Strait of Hormuz after three oil tankers were attacked this week. The United States has demanded that Iran guarantee the safety of navigation in this strategically important waterway.
According to US officials, Iran has unofficially acknowledged in talks that the attacks on the vessels were not ordered by the state leadership. Tehran reportedly suggested that radical groups seeking to disrupt the diplomatic process may be behind the incidents.
US President Donald Trump stated that the recent events have effectively ended the previously agreed ceasefire, but stressed that diplomatic talks with Iran will not be halted. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of not observing the ceasefire terms.
The conflict between the two sides escalated in late February when the US and Israel carried out military strikes on Iranian territory. In response, Iran attacked Israel as well as US military facilities and their allies in the Persian Gulf region.
Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in June, which included provisions for safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the latest incidents indicate that the situation in the region remains highly unstable.
Following the tanker attacks, the US conducted extensive strikes on approximately 90 targets in Iran. Iran's Health Ministry reported 17 killed and over a hundred wounded. In retaliation, Iran struck several targets of US allies in Persian Gulf countries.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions continue. A Qatari delegation arrived in Iran on Friday to discuss the situation and seek solutions for restoring navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Oman for consultations with officials there. Oman and Qatar have repeatedly acted as intermediaries in US-Iran dialogue in recent years.
On Saturday, Donald Trump also commented on media reports about a possible Iranian plot to assassinate him. He warned that any such attempt would trigger an extremely harsh US military response.
