A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is facing another major test. Ahead of fresh negotiations in Oman, Washington wants Tehran to publicly admit mistakes made during recent attacks on commercial shipping and guarantee that one of the world’s busiest oil routes will remain open.
The United States is demanding that Iran publicly commit to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and stop targeting commercial vessels before a new round of negotiations begins this weekend.
The talks, scheduled for Saturday in Oman, come just days after the worst military confrontation between the two countries since they agreed to a ceasefire in June. Although both sides have confirmed they will return to the negotiating table, trust remains in short supply.
According to several US media reports citing senior American officials, Iranian representatives privately acknowledged to President Donald Trump’s advisers that attacks on commercial ships were a mistake. However, Tehran reportedly insisted that the shootings were carried out by a rogue hardline faction acting without approval from the country’s leadership.
One US official was quoted as saying:
“They came back to the table and said, ‘We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let’s keep talking.'”
The White House now wants that message delivered publicly.
Officials say Washington has informed Iran through regional mediators that it expects a formal statement confirming the Strait of Hormuz is open to international shipping, and that attacks on commercial vessels will stop immediately.
“They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them,” one senior US official said, according to Reuters.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Any disruption quickly sends shockwaves through international energy markets and shipping.
SEE ALSO: US and Iran Exchange Fresh Strikes as Ceasefire Collapses and Hormuz Shipping Slows
Under the ceasefire agreement signed in June, Iran pledged to use its best efforts to guarantee safe passage for commercial ships. That commitment came under scrutiny this week after three vessels were struck while travelling through a US-recommended shipping route near Omani waters.
Iran has continued to argue that the safest route for shipping remains through waters under its own supervision.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected accusations that Tehran violated the ceasefire.
“Iran has kept its word,” Araqchi wrote on X, accusing the United States of breaching the agreement instead.
Saturday’s negotiations are expected to include several of President Trump’s closest foreign policy advisers. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are all expected to represent the United States. Araqchi is expected to lead the Iranian delegation.
Meanwhile, Qatar has also stepped in diplomatically. A Qatari delegation travelled to Tehran on Friday in an effort to reduce tensions and help restore confidence in shipping through the Gulf.
President Trump confirmed that discussions would continue despite declaring earlier this week that the previous ceasefire was effectively over.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”
Trump also reacted strongly to reports that Iranian operatives had discussed plans to assassinate him. In another social media post, he warned that any such attack would trigger overwhelming military retaliation.
The tensions come as Iran continues mourning its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during Israeli strikes earlier this year. On Saturday, his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, released a message promising that revenge for his father’s death was “inevitable.”
Despite the sharp rhetoric from both governments, no new military attacks were reported on Friday, offering a brief pause after days of escalating violence.
For now, attention shifts to Oman, where negotiators will attempt to rescue a ceasefire that has already come under severe strain. Whether Iran agrees to Washington’s demand for a public commitment on shipping safety could determine whether diplomacy survives or whether the region edges back toward another dangerous confrontation.
