U.S. Sets Hard Iran Hormuz Deadline: Tehran Must Denounce Strait Attacks by Saturday

Iran Hormuz deadline forces Tehran’s hand

The Trump administration has handed Tehran a Saturday Iran Hormuz deadline, demanding a public renunciation of attacks on commercial vessels in the strategic waterway. U.S. officials conveyed the ultimatum both directly and via regional mediators, according to three sources briefing reporters on Friday.

Why it matters: Washington says Iran breached the memorandum of understanding signed ↓ 3 weeks ago by repeatedly firing on merchant ships, sparking exchanges of fire that edged the fragile pact toward collapse. President Trump declared the cease‑fire “over” earlier this week.

Diplomatic overtures in Muscat

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is slated to meet Omani counterpart Badr al‑Busaidi on Saturday in Muscat to discuss the Hormuz crisis. Oman, which recently opened a southern channel for traffic, has aligned with U.S. Gulf allies, a move Tehran denounced as undermining its leverage.

“We screwed up. Let’s keep talking,” a U.S. official claimed of a reported Iranian outreach after two days of skirmishes.

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Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei insists the talks will focus on maritime security, asserting Tehran’s “clear responsibility” for normalizing traffic. He denied any direct request for U.S. talks, saying discussions were at the behest of Qatari mediators.

Behind the scenes, a power struggle appears to be raging within Iran’s regime over compliance with the MOU and the broader nuclear agenda. Elements eager for a deal clash with hardliners clinging to control of the strait.

The United States expects a post‑meeting statement that Tehran will cease fire on ships and acknowledge the strait’s openness, even hinting at toll‑free navigation. A second official warned that refusal would bring “not a great day” for Iran.

So far, Washington has launched two retaliatory strike rounds. Thursday’s relative calm followed Trump’s signal of willingness to resume diplomacy. Reuters and Bloomberg report that progress on a nuclear accord remains tentative, with the Hormuz flare‑up raising doubts about Tehran’s long‑term commitment.

Analysts note that the episode echoes broader regional volatility seen during the recent pandemic era, underscoring how external shocks amplify existing tensions.