Washington waits on Iranian response to plan as exchanges continue in Gulf

Washington is still waiting for Tehran’s answer to its latest proposal to formally end the Gulf war, even as US and Iranian forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian missiles struck the United Arab Emirates.

The flare-ups mark the most serious breach since the April 7 ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Rome on Friday that a response was expected that day and could open “a serious process of negotiation.” Iran’s foreign ministry said it was still weighing the plan.

Iranian news agencies reported sporadic clashes with US vessels in the strait, while the US military said fighter jets struck two Iran-linked ships attempting to enter an Iranian port, hitting their smokestacks and forcing them to retreat. President Trump acknowledged three US navy destroyers came under attack and returned fire, yet insisted the ceasefire was holding.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of choosing “reckless military adventure” every time diplomacy nears. Tehran claims US forces targeted an Iranian oil tanker, hit civilian areas on Qeshm Island, and attacked a commercial ship that left one crew member dead, ten wounded and four missing. Iranian strikes, according to its military command, inflicted “significant damage” on US vessels, a claim US Central Command denies.

The fighting spread beyond the waterway. The UAE reported its air defences intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran, injuring three people. This follows Iran’s pattern of targeting Gulf states hosting US bases, which intensified after Trump briefly launched and then paused “Project Freedom” to escort ships through the strait.

The current US proposal would end the conflict first, then tackle thornier issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and reopening the strait to non-Iranian shipping. Tehran floated a similar idea last week but has not decided. One fifth of global oil and LNG normally passes through this chokepoint that both sides have tried to blockade.

Whether a single diplomatic note can survive fresh casualties and duelling accusations is the test neither capital has yet answered.

Original reporting: The Irish Times.