Iran continues to talk to U.S., wants to make a deal, White House says

July 16 (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday said Iran continues to talk to the U.S. and wants to make a deal.

"The reason for the recent strikes over the course of the last several days is because Iran violated the memorandum of understanding that we struck with them," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

"Specifically, in the memorandum of understanding that they signed, they were not to fire on commercial vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, and unfortunately they have made the tragic decision for them to do that.

Leavitt said that the Strait of Hormuz is open for ships that are not traveling to or from Iranian ports and that the U.S. Navy remains there "to ensure that can take place."