Calm Returns to Strait of Hormuz as US Awaits Iran’s Response
Relative calm has returned to the Strait of Hormuz after days of sporadic naval clashes, as the United States awaits Iran’s response to its latest peace proposal. The US has said it expects an answer within hours, but Tehran has yet to publicly respond.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the US military’s actions during recent exchanges of fire with Iranian forces, while expressing hope for a serious reply. Speaking in Rome, Rubio said Washington expected a response from Iran on Friday, adding: “I hope it’s a serious offer, I really do… The hope is it’s something that can put us into a serious process of negotiation.”
President Donald Trump also indicated he was expecting Iran’s answer, telling a French broadcaster that he expected to find out “very soon.” Meanwhile, a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was sailing towards the strait en route to Pakistan, a move sources said was approved by Iran to build confidence with Qatar and Pakistan, both mediators in the conflict.
Iran Questions US Diplomacy
Iran has questioned the seriousness of American diplomacy in the wake of the renewed clashes. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a call with his Turkish counterpart, accused the US of violating the ceasefire and escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf. According to an Iranian account published by ISNA, Araghchi said: “The recent escalation of tensions by American forces in the Persian Gulf and their numerous actions in violating the ceasefire have added to suspicions about the motivation and seriousness of the American side in the path of diplomacy.”
Araghchi also accused the US of breaking the ceasefire on social media, stating: “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure.” He further boasted that Iran’s ballistic missile stocks and launcher capacity had been repaired, restocked, and expanded during the pause in hostilities.
Iran’s military has said it remains in a state of war. Defense Ministry Spokesman General Reza Talaei-Nik warned that the US risks further battlefield setbacks if it fails to acknowledge Iran’s demands. “If the enemy refuses to accept the rightful and clearly defined demands of the Iranian people through diplomatic channels, it should anticipate a repetition of its military defeats,” he stated, according to IRNA.
Naval Clashes and the Strait
The latest incidents occurred after a US fighter jet fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers that Washington accused of challenging its naval blockade of Iran’s ports. An Iranian military official told local media that the navy had responded with strikes, and that the clashes had ceased. The US said the tankers attempted to violate the blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital international sea lane, and Iran has sought to control it to extract tolls and wield economic leverage over the US and its allies. Washington has said it is unacceptable for Tehran to control the key oil route.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Despite the clashes, diplomatic efforts have continued. Pakistan has been acting as a mediator, passing a memorandum from the US to Iran that Washington says could serve as a basis for a more solid ceasefire and new talks. Iran has reportedly shared a fresh proposal with Pakistan, envisioning talks in stages, with the nuclear issue set aside at the start.
The first step would require ending the US-Israeli war on Iran and providing guarantees that the US cannot start it again. Negotiators would then resolve the US Navy’s blockade of Iran’s trade by sea and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran aims to reopen under its control. Only then would talks address other issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, appeared to confirm the contents of the Iranian proposal, saying Tehran wanted the US to “open the Hormuz strait.” He wrote: “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse’. They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible…”
Iran’s conditions for resuming negotiations reportedly include ending hostilities across all fronts, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, providing compensation for damages, and formally recognizing Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Broader Regional Developments
In related developments, Bahrain has arrested over 40 individuals accused of being pro-IRGC, and the UK has deployed a warship to the Middle East with an eye on a potential Hormuz mission. Israel has continued strikes in Lebanon, targeting a highway south of Beirut. Intelligence agencies are said to be studying Iran’s likely response to a US declaration of victory, and Vice President Vance has questioned the Pentagon’s assessment of the conflict.
A CIA report claims Tehran can withstand a blockade for months, indicating that the standoff may persist. The situation remains tense, with both sides trading accusations and warnings, while diplomatic channels remain open.