Fire blazes in Iran after "powerful" US strikes
The United States is urging Iran to publicly confirm that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and to pledge an end to attacks on commercial vessels as part of upcoming negotiations scheduled in Oman on Saturday.
US media sources, citing unnamed officials, reported that Tehran has privately admitted to President Donald Trump's advisers that the recent shootings at ships were a mistake, although Iran attributed the incidents to a rogue internal faction.
President Trump stated that both parties have agreed to continue discussions despite the recent conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, which the White House considered a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi asserted that Iran has "kept its word" regarding the ceasefire, accusing the US on X (formerly Twitter) of violating the agreement.
In June, the US and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement that included provisions for Iran to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels.
Senior US officials told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that Tehran indicated an "errant" sect of hardliners was attempting to sabotage negotiations by targeting commercial ships.
One official told CBS News:
"They [the Iranians] came back to the table and said, 'We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let's keep talking.'"
Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and two individuals deeply involved in Middle East diplomacy—special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner—are expected to lead the negotiations on Saturday.
Foreign Minister Araqchi is also anticipated to attend the talks.
During a briefing for reporters on Friday, US officials indicated that a message had been delivered to Tehran's leadership via regional intermediaries, demanding that Iran issue a statement declaring the Strait of Hormuz open and committing to cease firing on commercial ships, according to multiple media reports.
One official, quoted by , stated:
"They're either going to give us that statement or we're not having a good outcome for them."
The White House also seeks a public admission from Iran acknowledging that the attacks on shipping were erroneous, CBS News reported.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Qatar traveled to Iran on Friday to engage in talks aimed at reducing tensions and facilitating navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier on Friday, President Trump posted on Truth Social:
"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!"
In the early hours of Saturday, Trump also responded to reports alleging that Iran planned to assassinate him. Writing on Truth Social, he warned that the US military would "completely decimate and destroy all areas" of Iran in retaliation for such an attack.
The Wall Street Journal and other US media outlets reported this week that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington indicating that Iran recently devised a plan to assassinate the US president.
Additionally, there were explicit calls for President Trump's death during the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei, who was buried this week, was killed in an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran on 28 February, the first day of Iran's conflict with the US and Israel.
No new attacks were reported on Friday following the earlier fighting in the Gulf region, marking the most severe exchange of fire between the US and Iran since the interim deal signed in June.
Three ships were struck while navigating a US-recommended route through Omani waters. Iran has consistently maintained that the only "safe" passage is a separate route through its territorial waters.
Progress was made last month when the US and Iran agreed on a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at extending the ceasefire and ending conflict "on all fronts." As part of this agreement, Iran and Oman are to conduct talks "to define the future administration and maritime services" in the strait alongside other Gulf states.
During the conflict, Iran sought to assert sovereignty over the strait by establishing the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority," which it stated would manage "safe passage permits."
Iran's Fars news agency reported that under the new agreement with the US, the strait would ultimately be managed by Iran in coordination with Oman, potentially including "service fees" for ships transiting the waterway.
