Washington, Jul 11 (V7N) — The United States has called on Iran to publicly ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping and to halt attacks on commercial vessels as diplomatic efforts between the two countries continue.
According to the BBC, citing U.S. officials, the request was conveyed to Tehran's leadership through regional mediators during recent diplomatic contacts. Officials said Washington urged Iran to issue a public statement confirming that the Strait of Hormuz is open to global maritime traffic and to stop firing on commercial ships.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that despite renewed tensions surrounding the strategic waterway, negotiations with Iran would continue, although he described the recent fighting as a violation of the earlier ceasefire.
Senior U.S. officials also told CBS News that Iranian representatives had claimed a "deviant" group of hardliners was attempting to undermine the diplomatic process by carrying out attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Continued instability in the waterway has raised concerns over global energy supplies and international shipping.
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