Fragile calm returns to Strait of Hormuz as US awaits Iran’s response

After days of rising tensions and military flare-ups around the Strait of Hormuz the region witnessed a fragile calm on Saturday as the United States continued to wait for Iran’s response to a new proposal aimed at ending more than two months of conflict and paving the way for peace negotiations.

The situation remains highly sensitive with global powers closely monitoring developments amid fears of further escalation that could severely impact regional stability and international energy markets.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington expected a response from Tehran within hours. However, more than a day later there were still no visible signs of movement from Iran regarding the proposal.

According to reports the US framework seeks to formally bring the war to an end before initiating negotiations on more contentious matters including Iran’s nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, Rubio held talks in Miami on Saturday with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. According to a statement issued by US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, both sides discussed the importance of continued cooperation to counter regional threats and promote stability and security across the Middle East. The statement, however, made no direct reference to Iran.

At the same time a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was seen heading toward the Strait of Hormuz route to Pakistan, according to shipping data from LSEG. Sources familiar with the matter said Iran had approved the vessel’s passage as part of a confidence-building effort involving both Qatar and Pakistan, which have been engaged in mediation efforts during the conflict.

If successfully completed, the voyage would mark the first transit of a Qatari LNG tanker through the strategically critical waterway since the conflict erupted.

With US President Donald Trump scheduled to visit China next week, international pressure has intensified to contain the conflict, which has severely disrupted global energy markets and heightened concerns over broader economic instability.

Over recent days, some of the most serious clashes since last month’s ceasefire have taken place in and around the Strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab Emirates also came under renewed attack on Friday.

Since the conflict began following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran has significantly restricted non-Iranian shipping through the strait. Prior to the conflict, nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passed through the narrow maritime corridor, making it one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that sporadic confrontations occurred on Friday between Iranian forces and US naval vessels in the strait. Later, Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted a military source as saying the situation had temporarily stabilised, though the possibility of further clashes could not be ruled out.

The US military, meanwhile, stated that it targeted two Iran-linked vessels attempting to enter an Iranian port. According to American officials, a US fighter jet struck the vessels’ smokestacks, forcing them to retreat.

The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian vessels last month in an effort to increase economic pressure on Tehran. However, reports citing a classified CIA assessment suggested Iran could withstand the impact of the blockade for several more months, raising questions about Washington’s leverage in the conflict. A senior US intelligence official later dismissed those reports as inaccurate.

The tensions have also extended beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones launched from Iran on Friday, while three people reportedly sustained moderate injuries.

Iran has repeatedly targeted Gulf states hosting US military bases, including the UAE. Regional tensions escalated further after President Trump announced “Project Freedom,” an initiative intended to escort commercial vessels through the strait. However, the operation was temporarily suspended after just 48 hours.

President Trump said on Thursday that the ceasefire announced on April 7 remained largely intact despite recent flare-ups, while Iran accused Washington of repeatedly violating the truce.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi strongly criticised the United States, saying Washington repeatedly chooses “reckless military adventures” whenever the possibility of diplomacy emerges.

The United States has struggled to secure broad international backing for its position in the conflict. Following talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rubio questioned why Washington’s allies were not fully supporting efforts to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that European nations remained united in their goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and were working to bridge diplomatic gaps with Washington.

Britain also announced plans to deploy a warship to the Middle East in preparation for a possible multinational mission aimed at securing maritime transit routes once regional conditions stabilise.

At the same time, Washington has intensified sanctions against Tehran. The US Treasury announced sanctions on 10 individuals and companies including entities based in China and Hong Kong accused of assisting Iran’s military procurement networks linked to the production of Tehran’s Shahed drones and related weapons materials.