Middle East War: Iran responds to US proposal and escalates conflict with France and the UK.

The back-and-forth of proposals between Washington and Tehran to permanently end hostilities has yielded no breakthrough since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8.

Is this the beginning of a new phase of talks? Iran has responded to the American proposal to end the war in the Middle East through Pakistan, the official Irna media reported on Sunday, May 10. This response is focused on “ending the war and maritime security,” as specified by the Iranian news agency Isna, without providing further details. This response was awaited by Washington since Friday, with no immediate reaction from the US.

The proposals exchange between Washington and Tehran to permanently end hostilities has had no breakthrough since the ceasefire on April 8. In an interview recorded earlier in the week and broadcasted on Sunday, US President Donald Trump stated that the Iranians were “defeated militarily,” but suggested that the US military could “remain in place for an additional two weeks and strike all identified targets” to provide a “final touch.”

As the UK and France are poised to establish an international coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz once a peace agreement between the US and Iran is reached, tensions rise. Tehran warned that it would respond “decisively and immediately” if French and British ships were deployed in the strait. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized on Iran being the sole guarantor of security in the strait and not permitting any interference from other countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded from Nairobi, Kenya, stating that France had “never considered” a naval military deployment in the Strait of Hormuz, but a security mission “in coordination with Iran.”

Tensions remain high in this strategic strait. According to the British maritime security agency UKMTO, a tanker reported being hit by an “unknown projectile” off the coast of Doha, Qatar, on Sunday morning. The Prime Minister of Qatar expressed concerns about the use of this strategic strait exacerbating the crisis in the Middle East during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.