US Sets Saturday Deadline for Iran to Guarantee Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz

The United States has given Iran until Saturday to publicly guarantee the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, warning Tehran to halt attacks on vessels and abandon any plans to impose tolls on one of the world's most strategic maritime chokepoints.

According to multiple international media reports published on Friday, Washington delivered the message to Tehran through regional mediators as well as direct diplomatic channels.

The Trump administration accuses Iran of violating the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached between the two countries about three weeks ago by carrying out attacks on several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents have triggered a series of retaliatory strikes between the two sides, placing recent diplomatic efforts under severe strain.

President Donald Trump has since declared that the ceasefire, which took effect earlier this week, is no longer in force.

U.S. officials argue that if Iran fails to honor its commitments regarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, it will be difficult to reach any meaningful future agreements with Tehran, particularly on its nuclear program.

Against this backdrop, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat on Saturday.

Before the memorandum was signed, Oman, at Washington's request, opened an alternative southern maritime route along its coastline. Iranian officials reportedly believe the move significantly reduced Tehran's strategic leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.

According to U.S. intelligence sources, Iranian negotiators have privately suggested that hardline factions inside Iran were behind the recent attacks on commercial vessels in an effort to reassert their domestic influence. Publicly, however, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's senior leadership have maintained their longstanding position that Iran exercises full control over the strategic waterway.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Araghchi's visit to Oman would focus on maritime security and developments in the Strait of Hormuz. He insisted that Iran remains committed to ensuring the safe passage of international shipping and is coordinating closely with Oman on the issue.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials claim that Iran has privately acknowledged mistakes made during the recent confrontation and expressed interest in continuing negotiations with Washington. Tehran has rejected that assertion, saying it has only agreed to participate in talks through Qatari mediation.

The Trump administration believes divisions remain within Iran's leadership over how to proceed. While one faction reportedly favors renewed diplomacy, another is pushing for a more confrontational approach.

Washington hopes Saturday's talks will result in a formal Iranian commitment to end attacks on commercial shipping and refrain from imposing tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials have also warned that if Tehran fails to clarify its position by the deadline, it could face unspecified consequences.