A relative calm prevailed on Saturday in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, after several days of sporadic clashes, as the United States awaits Iran’s response to their latest proposals to end over two months of fighting and initiate peace talks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared 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 negotiations on more contentious issues, such as the Iranian nuclear program.
As U.S. President Donald Trump is set to begin a highly anticipated visit to China next week, pressure mounts to end this conflict that has rocked energy markets and poses an increasing threat to the global economy.
Recent days have seen 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.
The U.S. military reported striking two vessels linked to Iran attempting to enter an Iranian port; an American fighter jet intercepted them, forcing them to turn back.
Iran has significantly restricted non-Iranian maritime traffic in the strait since the start of the war, marked by Israeli-American airstrikes across Iranian territory on February 28. Before the conflict, a fifth of the world’s oil supply passed through this narrow waterway.
The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian vessels last month. However, a CIA assessment suggests that Iran would not face severe economic pressures from a U.S. blockade of its ports for about four months, raising questions about Donald Trump’s actual leverage on Tehran in an unpopular conflict with U.S. voters and allies.
An intelligence official dismissed as ‘false’ allegations about the CIA’s analysis reported by the Washington Post.
The clashes have expanded beyond the maritime zone. The United Arab Emirates reported its defense forces intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran on Friday, injuring three individuals.
Iran has increased its attacks against the UAE and other Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. In what the UAE termed a major escalation, Iran intensified its offensives this week in response to Donald Trump’s ‘Freedom Project’ to escort ships in the strait, an initiative he suspended after 48 hours.
Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the ceasefire announced on April 7 still holds despite rising tensions, while Iran accused the United States of violating it.
‘Whenever a diplomatic solution is on the table, the United States opts for a reckless military adventure,’ Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday.
The United States has found little international support in this conflict. After meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Marco Rubio questioned why Italy and other allies did not support Washington’s 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 obtaining nuclear weapons and that they were working to reduce differences with Washington.
While pursuing diplomacy, the United States has also tightened sanctions to pressure Iran.
Days before Donald Trump’s trip to China to meet President Xi Jinping, the U.S. 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 arms and materials used in the production of Tehran’s Shahed drones.
The Treasury stated in a release that it was prepared to act against any foreign entity supporting Iran’s illicit trade and could impose secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions, including those linked to independent Chinese oil refineries.
