The United States is pressing Iran to publicly declare that the Strait of Hormuz is open to international shipping and that vessels transiting the strategic waterway will no longer be targeted, senior US officials said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials said Washington views such a commitment as a key step toward reducing tensions after renewed military exchanges earlier this week threatened a fragile ceasefire between the two countries.

According to the officials, the latest strikes were triggered by what they described as a rogue faction of Iranian hard-liners seeking to undermine the ceasefire and derail ongoing negotiations with the United States.

They said internal power struggles in Tehran have complicated diplomatic efforts, making it increasingly difficult to secure and sustain any agreement, according to AP.

The officials also said Iran’s internal political landscape has become increasingly unstable following the deaths of senior leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during US and Israeli strikes at the outset of the war.

Washington is specifically seeking a public assurance from Tehran that the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, will remain open and safe for commercial navigation.

The officials said Iranian representatives privately indicated to their US counterparts that recent attacks on commercial vessels were a mistake and expressed a desire to continue negotiations despite the incident.

However, Trump responded to the attacks with a stronger military response, making clear that the United States would hold Iran accountable regardless of whether the strikes were carried out by rogue elements or under official orders, the officials added.