Washington, D.C. — The United States is demanding that Tehran issue a public pledge to cease attacks on vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, senior US officials said on Friday, as President Donald Trump threatened to “completely decimate” Iran if its leadership attempts to assassinate him.
“We’re demanding that the Iranians issue a public statement that acknowledges all channels of the Strait of Hormuz are open and they’re not shooting at ships anymore,” a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
“They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them,” the official warned.
The demand comes as US officials said they are making progress in negotiations with top Iranian leaders, but stressed that without a public assurance on safe passage, nuclear talks cannot proceed.
Trump: ‘1,000 missiles locked and loaded’
President Trump escalated his rhetoric on Saturday, posting on Truth Social that “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow” should Iran attempt to assassinate him.
“Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran — PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!” Trump wrote.
The threat follows the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where mourners openly called for Trump’s death and carried signs reading “Kill Trump,” according to images from the ceremonies.
Iran accuses US of violations
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back against US accusations, insisting Tehran has honoured its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
“Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called U.S. Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU. That violation follows other violations and missteps by the United States. Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance,” Araghchi wrote on X.
The ninth paragraph of the Memorandum of Understanding states that pending a final deal, Iran will “maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program” and that the US will “not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.”
Earlier this week, the Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran following Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the strait.
Strait of Hormuz remains flashpoint
The narrow waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass, has emerged as the central obstacle to de-escalation. Iran has continued to assert control over parts of the strait and fired on ships earlier this week, prompting US military strikes on Iranian targets.
A senior US official told reporters that Iran had claimed the attacks were from “an errant part of their system.”
US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between Iran and the United States last week, but tensions have remained high. Trump has since said the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding is “over,” while insisting that talks with Iran would continue.
Diplomatic efforts continue
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Saturday for talks with Omani officials on the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional developments, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
Oman has served as a key intermediary in previous US-Iran negotiations, and officials are hoping the visit can help revive the faltering diplomatic process.