The Wall Street Journal has revealed that Iran informed the United States that the shooting at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz was a 'mistake', affirming its desire to continue negotiations, at a time when doubts are growing within the administration of US President Donald Trump about the chances of reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal with Tehran.

The newspaper quoted a US official as saying that Tehran recently informed Washington that targeting commercial ships was not intentional, calling for the continuation of the negotiating track between the two sides.

In contrast, the newspaper quoted senior officials in the Trump administration as saying that the chances of reaching a final nuclear deal have become 'less likely', warning that any disruption to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to 'serious consequences'.

The report added that Washington demanded Iran issue a formal statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international navigation, and stop targeting commercial vessels, without setting a deadline for implementation.

Trump's Options

According to the Wall Street Journal, this development comes after the US president announced the end of the ceasefire with Iran, as the US administration considers its options between continuing the diplomatic path or returning to military options to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

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Trump said: 'They violate the agreement every day, lie, cheat, and kill people... They will never get a nuclear weapon under our deal, but I don't know if we will reach an agreement.'

The report indicated that Iran's failure to comply with its commitments during the transitional phase would make reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal more difficult, especially since the final negotiations will address the future of the highly enriched uranium stockpile and the imposition of long-term restrictions on Iran's nuclear program.

The newspaper added that the interim agreement gives both sides a 60-day deadline to reach a final agreement, with the possibility of extension, while freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the enriched uranium file remain among the most prominent issues that will determine the fate of negotiations.