Washington reportedly expects Tehran to accept its terms after talks in Oman on Saturday
The United States wants Iran to publicly declare that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to navigation and pledge not to attack oil tankers passing through the waterway, which carries nearly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and LNG trade, several media outlets reported Friday.
The United States and Iran have differed over different interpretations of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 17 regarding the management of the sea channel. The two countries held strikes on Wednesday and Thursday after the United States and Gulf states blamed Iran for attacks on three commercial ships.
“We expect the Iranians to say … that every passage in the strait will be open and that it will be free,” a US official told reporters on Friday, according to Axios.
US officials told the media that they expect Iran to announce its acceptance of the terms after negotiators meet in Oman on Saturday.
“If it’s not their position (tomorrow), it won’t be a big day for them.” an officer said.
In a post on Social Reality on Friday, US President Donald Trump said the talks would continue while also warning that “Firefighting IS OVER!”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denied Trump’s claim that Tehran had requested a new round of talks. He said any violation of the ceasefire by the United States will be dealt with “reciprocal action.”
Iranian media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Oman on Saturday to meet with regional mediators.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Friday that Tehran remained. “distrust of Americans” and that “The Iranian nation will never surrender to oppression.”
Iran closed the strait to many ships following the US-Israeli attack on February 28. Tehran has since insisted that all ships follow its orders and use special shipping lanes.
Under the MoU, Iran agreed “make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels” for 60 days and negotiate with Oman on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz.
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