A relative calm prevailed on Saturday near the Strait of Hormuz, following several days of sporadic clashes, while the United States awaits Iran’s response to their latest proposals to end over two months of fighting and engage in peace talks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that Washington expected a response within a few hours. However, a day later, there was no sign of movement from Tehran regarding this proposal, which would formally acknowledge the end of hostilities before the commencement of negotiations on more contentious issues, particularly the Iranian nuclear program.
As President Donald Trump is set to begin a highly anticipated visit to China next week, pressure is mounting to resolve the conflict that has roiled energy markets and posed an increasing threat to the global economy.
Recent days have been marked by the most intense tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings since a ceasefire was established a month ago, with the United Arab Emirates being targeted in new attacks on Friday.
Friday saw sporadic clashes between Iranian forces and US ships in the strait, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Tasnim later quoted an Iranian military source as stating the situation had calmed, although cautioning that new clashes remained possible.
The US military reported striking two ships linked to Iran attempting to enter an Iranian port; an American fighter jet intercepted them, forcing them to turn back. Tehran has largely blocked non-Iranian maritime traffic in the strait since the beginning of the war, marked by Israeli-American airstrikes across Iranian territory on February 28th. A fifth of global oil supplies transited through this narrow waterway before the conflict.
The US imposed a blockade on Iranian ships last month. However, a CIA assessment suggests Iran would not face severe economic pressure from a US blockade of its ports for approximately four months, raising questions about Trump’s real bargaining power with Tehran in an unpopular conflict among US voters and allies.
An intelligence official dismissed as ‘false’ the allegations regarding the CIA analysis, as originally reported by the Washington Post.
The clashes have extended beyond the maritime zone. The UAE reported its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran on Friday, causing three minor injuries.
Iran has ramped up attacks against the UAE and other Gulf states hosting US military bases. In what the UAE called a major escalation, Iran intensified its offensives this week in response to Trump’s ‘Freedom Project’, aimed at escorting ships in the strait, an initiative he suspended after 48 hours.
Trump stated on Thursday that the ceasefire announced on April 7th still held despite renewed tensions, while Iran accused the US of violating it.
‘Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure’, stated Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Friday.
Washington is prioritizing diplomacy while tightening sanctions.
The US has found little international support in this conflict. After meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Marco Rubio questioned why Italy and other allies were not supporting US efforts to reopen the strait, warning of a dangerous precedent if Tehran were allowed to control an international waterway.
Speaking in Stockholm, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that European countries shared the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and were working to reduce differences with Washington.
While continuing diplomatic efforts, the US has also intensified sanctions to pressure Iran.
Days before Trump’s trip to China to meet President Xi Jinping, the US Treasury announced sanctions on Friday against 10 individuals and businesses, including several based in China and Hong Kong. They are accused of supporting Iranian military efforts to obtain weapons and materials used in the production of Tehran’s Shahed drones.
The Treasury stated in a release that it was ready to act against any foreign company supporting illicit Iranian trade and could impose secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions, including those related to independent Chinese oil refineries.
