US-Iran war no closer to ending as Gulf clashes flare
Ceasefire fragile: UAE attacked, Tehran ignores US peace proposal deadline.
The US and Iran appeared no closer to ending their conflict on Saturday, as fresh fighting erupted in the Gulf despite a month-old ceasefire. Recent days saw the biggest flare-ups near the Strait of Hormuz since the April 7 truce, with the United Arab Emirates coming under renewed attack on Friday. Washington has been waiting for Tehran’s response to a US proposal that would formally end hostilities before tackling contentious issues like Iran’s nuclear program. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Rome on Friday, said the US expected an answer that day, but an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson stated Tehran was still weighing its response.
Sporadic clashes continued between Iranian forces and US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency. US President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that the ceasefire was still holding despite the flare-ups, while Iran accused Washington of breaching it. A US intelligence analysis concluded that Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months, underscoring the protracted nature of the standoff. The Tasnim news agency later quoted an Iranian military source saying the situation had calmed but warning that more clashes were possible.
- Renewed clashes in the Strait of Hormuz and a UAE attack on Friday mark the biggest flare-ups since the April 7 ceasefire.
- US intelligence estimates Iran can survive a naval blockade for months, complicating a quick resolution.
- Tehran has not yet responded to Washington’s formal end-war proposal, while both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations.
Why It Matters
Protracted Gulf instability threatens global oil flows and regional security, with no clear off-ramp from the US-Iran conflict.