Fate of Strait of Hormuz challenges talks as Trump and Iran's supreme leader trade threats

By — Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, Associated Press By — Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Michelle L. Price, Associated Press By — Will Weissert, Associated Press Will Weissert, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/fate-of-strait-of-hormuz-challenges-talks-as-trump-and-irans-supreme-leader-trade-threats Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Fate of Strait of Hormuz challenges talks as Trump and Iran's supreme leader trade threats World Updated on Jul 11, 2026 6:23 PM EDT — Published on Jul 11, 2026 12:01 PM EDT DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and Oman's foreign ministers met on Saturday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz that lies between them, after days of Iranian attacks on ships and U.S. retaliation that dealt a blow to the interim deal to end the war. Iran's new supreme leader, still unseen since the war began, vowed in his first statement since the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Iranians would avenge his killing in the war's opening strikes on Feb. 28. WATCH: Renewed U.S.-Iran fighting threatens shipping and hopes of ending war Such revenge "is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out," Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement carried on state television, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened more missile attacks. Oman said it and Iran agreed to keep talking about the crucial waterway "at the technical and political levels," a day after the United States called on Iran to publicly say the crucial waterway is open and ships won't be attacked. Iran accuses Washington of violating the interim deal Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he met with his counterpart in Oman to discuss "appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships." The world for decades has considered the strait an international waterway. Iran has insisted that the strait now remain under its control and that it be allowed to charge ships moving through it, a stance it took after the war began. The U.S. urges mariners to transit on a southern route through Oman's territorial waters. WATCH: As diplomacy stalls, families worry Americans imprisoned by Iran are forgotten About a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through the strait before the war began. Iran's grip on it during the war led to a global energy crisis, though oil prices have sharply dropped since wartime highs of $120 a barrel. Iran's top diplomat also accused the U.S. of violating the interim deal by ending waivers allowing Iran to sell crude oil on the open market in U.S. dollars. Washington ended them in response to the attacks on ships in the strait. "Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance," Araghchi wrote on X. Trump says he responded to threats to kill him A thousand "missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should th