US demands Iran publicly pledge to stop shooting at ships in Strait of Hormuz

The United States wants Iran to make a public statement that the Strait of Hormuz is open and to pledge to stop firing on commercial ships as part of negotiations set for Saturday. Citing unnamed officials, US media reported that Tehran has privately acknowledged to President Donald Trump's advisers that the shooting was a mistake, although Iranians reportedly blamed a rogue internal group.

Trump has said both sides have agreed to continue talks despite this week's fighting over the strait, which the White House viewed as a violation of a ceasefire. In June, the US and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement in which Iran, in part, agreed to ensure safe passage for commercial ships.

Senior US officials told CBS News that Tehran said an "errant" sect of hardliners was trying to undermine negotiations by firing on commercial ships. One official told the network: "They [the Iranians] came back to the table and said, 'We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let's keep talking.'"

In a briefing for reporters on Friday, US officials said a message to Tehran's leadership had been conveyed through regional mediators demanding Iran release a statement declaring the strait open and that it will stop shooting at commercial ships. One official, quoted by Reuters, said: "They're either going to give us that statement or we're not having a good outcome for them."

The White House also wants Iran to publicly acknowledge that the firing was a mistake. Negotiations, expected to take place in Oman on Saturday, are to be led by Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Meanwhile, a delegation from Qatar traveled to Iran on Friday for talks aimed at defusing tensions and easing navigation through the strait.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" No fresh attacks were reported on Friday after fighting broke out in the Gulf region earlier this week, marking the worst exchange of fire since the two nations signed an interim deal in June.

Three ships were struck while using a US-recommended route through Omani waters. Iran has repeatedly said the only "safe" passage is a separate route through its waters. Last month, the US and Iran agreed on a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at extending a ceasefire and ending conflict "on all fronts". As part of the agreement, Iran and Oman must hold talks to define future administration and maritime services in the strait with other Gulf states.

During the conflict, Iran sought to assert sovereignty over the strait, including by establishing the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority", which it said would manage "safe passage permits". Iran's Fars news agency has reported that under the new deal with the US, the strait would ultimately be managed by Iran in coordination with Oman, possibly including "service fees" for ships to transit.