The United States is awaiting an Iranian response to its latest proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Gulf amid escalating military tensions, officials said Friday. The developments come as both Washington and Tehran engaged in clashes near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) faced renewed attacks in the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that a response from Iran could be expected as soon as Friday, expressing hope that it would pave the way for serious negotiations. Speaking in Rome, Rubio emphasized the administration’s interest in advancing diplomatic efforts to formally end the war before addressing more complex issues, including the status of Iran’s nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance held discussions with Qatar’s prime minister to coordinate diplomatic efforts surrounding the ongoing negotiations with Iran. Despite recent violent flare-ups, President Donald Trump maintained that a ceasefire remains in effect, describing the situation as a controlled escalation. Trump also reported that three US Navy destroyers were attacked but not damaged while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with US forces responding effectively to the assault.
Iranian state media reported explosions near the Gulf port of Sirik, close to the Strait of Hormuz, where an Iranian commercial vessel was targeted by the US Navy late Thursday. The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to 10 crew members and left five others missing. Tehran accused the United States of violating the ceasefire, which had largely held since early April but has recently come under significant strain following a US announcement—and subsequent suspension—of a new naval mission in the strait.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the United States for choosing "reckless military adventure" over diplomatic solutions, asserting that every time peace talks were within reach, Washington escalated military actions. Iran’s joint military command confirmed that US forces had struck an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, as well as carried out air attacks on civilian areas on Qeshm Island and coastal regions near the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iranian forces reportedly launched attacks on US military vessels east of the strait and south of Chabahar port.
In a separate development, satellite imagery analyzed between May 6 and 8 revealed a sizable oil spill near Iran’s primary oil export hub, Kharg Island. The spill, visible as a grey and white slick covering roughly 45 square kilometers, is considered among the largest since the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran began more than two months ago, according to experts from the Conflict and Environment Observatory and consultancy Data Desk. The environmental impact of the spill and its exact cause remain under investigation.