Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply on Friday after American forces disabled two Iranian tankers in the Gulf, a development that has renewed fears over the future of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict in the region.
According to the United States Central Command, an American F/A-18 Super Hornet carried out precision strikes on the two vessels to prevent them from continuing toward Iranian territory. The latest military action came as Iranian media reported sporadic clashes involving US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade routes.
The incident unfolded at a delicate moment for diplomacy. Only hours earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was awaiting Tehran’s response to a fresh proposal designed to preserve the fragile ceasefire and create space for broader negotiations on ending the Gulf conflict.
Speaking to reporters in Rome, Rubio said the United States expected Iran’s response later on Friday.
According to him, Washington hopes Tehran will submit what he described as a serious proposal capable of sustaining negotiations and preventing further military escalation. He also maintained that Iran must not be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz, given the waterway’s importance to global trade and energy supply. (Al-Monitor)
Pakistan-backed diplomatic push continues
Diplomatic sources said the United States had transmitted its latest proposal to Tehran through Pakistani mediators.
The proposal reportedly seeks an extension of the current truce in order to create room for negotiations toward a final political settlement of the conflict, which began about 10 weeks ago following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Iran has not formally rejected the proposal.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the offer remains under review and that a final decision would be announced once internal consultations are concluded, according to Iranian state-linked media.
Overnight clashes raise ceasefire concerns
The latest strikes followed an overnight exchange of fire that raised concerns about whether the ceasefire remains intact.
US Central Command said Iranian forces launched missiles, drones and small boats toward three American warships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, none of the warships was hit, while American forces intercepted the incoming threats and carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian positions.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military command offered a different account of the incident.
Iranian authorities said the confrontation began after US vessels targeted an Iranian tanker heading toward the strait. Tehran also accused Washington of striking civilian areas.
Iran said the strikes affected Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm Island on the Iranian side of the strait. It further alleged that the operation had been carried out with the cooperation of unnamed regional countries.
Reacting to the development, Baqaei described the American action as a clear violation of international law and a breach of the ceasefire arrangement.
He also said Iranian forces had delivered what he called a major blow to the opposing side.
Trump says ceasefire still stands
Despite the exchange of fire, US President Donald Trump insisted the ceasefire remains in place.
Speaking in Washington on Thursday, Trump said the truce was still active but added that Iran had tested American resolve.
According to him, the United States responded forcefully after what he described as provocation from Tehran.
Saudi Arabia reportedly declined US request
In another major development, two Saudi sources told AFP that Saudi Arabia declined to allow the US military to use its airspace or military bases for operations intended to force open commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the sources, Saudi officials believed such an operation would further escalate tensions and reduce the chances of a diplomatic resolution.
The decision highlights growing regional caution as Gulf states seek to avoid becoming direct parties to the confrontation.
UAE intercepts Iranian missiles and drones
Although Iran did not publicly name the countries it accused of cooperating with the United States, the United Arab Emirates confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted incoming Iranian projectiles.
According to the UAE defence ministry, two ballistic missiles and three unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran were intercepted.
Authorities said the incident resulted in three moderate injuries.
Hormuz remains under pressure
Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has sharply restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States later imposed its own restrictions on Iranian ports.
The standoff has significantly disrupted maritime activity in the region.
The United Nations International Maritime Organization estimates that around 1,500 vessels and about 20,000 international crew members remain affected by the crisis in the Gulf.
US Central Command said on Friday that its forces are currently preventing roughly 70 tankers from entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Shipping industry publication Lloyd’s List also reported this week that Tehran has established a new authority to regulate transit through the Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls from passing vessels.
Markets react to renewed uncertainty
Global markets had shown signs of optimism earlier in the week after reports emerged that Pakistan-mediated diplomacy could help preserve the ceasefire and reopen the path to negotiations.
That optimism weakened on Friday after the latest military incidents.
Investors reacted cautiously as fears grew that renewed hostilities could delay or derail efforts to fully reopen the strategic maritime corridor, which remains one of the most critical routes for global oil and commercial shipping.
The developments also renewed concerns over the potential economic impact of prolonged instability in the Gulf, particularly on energy prices, shipping costs and broader market confidence.
