U.S. says Iran does not control Hormuz, sets a talks precondition

U.S. officials insisted Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and said Washington expects Tehran to publicly declare the waterway open and safe for all commercial vessels. Senior officials warned that without assured safe passage the two sides will never move to nuclear negotiations. U.S. negotiators headed to Oman as Israeli leaders signaled readiness to strike Iran again.

Why this matters. The U.S. has made an open, uncontested strait the price of admission for any nuclear deal, so a public Iranian climbdown on Hormuz is now the single gate between de-escalation and a wider war.