Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the United States is standing by for a response from Iran on a US proposal for an interim ceasefire deal, as fighting near the critical strait of Hormuz intensified and Tehran accused Washington of sabotaging the month-old truce.
The escalation marked the fiercest clashes since the informal ceasefire began. Hostilities flared after President Trump announced, then quickly halted, a new naval operation designed to reopen the blockaded waterway to global shipping. On Friday, US forces fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers attempting to breach the American blockade of Iranian ports.
Yet behind the volleys of missiles and accusations, diplomatic channels remain open. Pakistan, serving as mediator, conveyed a brief memorandum from Washington to Tehran that both sides have characterized as a potential foundation for deeper negotiations.
Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday evening that he expected Iran's reply imminently. "I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight," he said, adding that he would determine shortly whether Iran was dragging out talks deliberately. Rubio, speaking from Rome, expressed hope that any incoming message would represent genuine negotiating intent. "I hope it's a serious offer, I really do," Rubio said, noting the aim of moving toward substantive talks.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck back on social media, declaring that the US had abandoned the ceasefire through "reckless military adventure." He also claimed that Iran had not merely repaired its ballistic missile stocks during the pause but expanded them. That assertion underscored a core flashpoint: any lasting agreement would almost certainly require limits on Iran's missile arsenal, something US officials have repeatedly identified as essential.
Control of the strait and the threat to attack regional oil infrastructure represent Iran's strongest negotiating leverage. The US maintains its blockade on all Iranian shipping leaving the Gulf to force concessions.
The night brought competing accounts of what actually occurred. An Iranian official said overnight strikes in and near the strait struck an Iranian cargo vessel, wounding 10 sailors with five missing. US Central Command reported that Iranian forces fired missiles, drones, and small boats at three American warships, none of which were hit, and that US forces destroyed the incoming threats and retaliated against Iranian land bases. The UAE responded to another Iranian missile and drone barrage on Friday, with its defense ministry saying three people were wounded after air defenses engaged two ballistic missiles and three drones. It remained unclear whether all were successfully intercepted.
The latest US proposal offers a formal ceasefire lasting at least 60 days, opening the door to talks on nuclear issues and other contentious matters. Trump warned Iran that rejection would invite "a lot of pain" but also suggested the economic payoff from reopening the strait could help resolve the conflict. Global stock markets climbed near record highs on Thursday when markets sensed a possible deal, as crude oil prices fell sharply, only to reverse Friday as risks mounted.
In normal times the strait moves roughly one fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies. Its closure since the war's opening days has already spiked fuel prices globally and threatened recession.
Analysts and regional diplomats believe Iranian leaders are internally divided. Some hardliners have publicly rejected concessions and may prefer to stretch negotiations past the November US midterm elections, betting that Trump administration pressure to declare victory could yield better terms. Others worry that Iran could overplay its hand by refusing a settlement now, especially given the mounting economic toll of war and blockade combined. If all-out fighting resumes without agreement, Iran would face the prospect of suffocating sanctions with no off-ramp in sight.
Trump claimed Thursday that the ceasefire was holding but minimized clashes as "just a love tap." Earlier hopes for an interim deal before his planned trip to China next week now appear premature. The White House also announced fresh sanctions Friday against individuals and companies accused of supporting Iran's war effort, including entities in China and Hong Kong, just days before Trump is set to arrive in Beijing.
Qatar's prime minister met with Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Friday to discuss the Pakistani-led mediation push. Lebanon remained another concern, with a separate truce there threatened after an Israeli strike Wednesday killed a Hezbollah commander. The US said Friday it would mediate two days of "intensive talks" between Israel and Lebanon the following week. A new Israeli strike Friday killed four people, including two women, in southern Lebanon, while shelling from Lebanon triggered air raid sirens in northern Israel.
Author James Rodriguez: "The clock is ticking, but both sides seem content to test each other's resolve rather than seal a deal."
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