Anticipated Iranian Reaction to Peace Plan on Friday as Gulf Conflict Intensifies, Says US

WASHINGTON — The United States is anticipating a response⁣ from Iran on Friday ⁤to its ⁢latest peace‍ proposal aimed at‌ ending the Gulf‌ war. This comes amidst ⁤a backdrop of clashes between⁢ U.S. and Iranian ‌forces in the ⁤Gulf and renewed ⁢attacks ‍on the United Arab Emirates.

The past few days ⁤have witnessed the most significant escalation in fighting‌ around ‌the disputed Strait ‌of Hormuz‍ since a ceasefire was declared⁤ a month ago. Despite this, ⁤both the United States and Iran⁣ have signaled that they are closer than ever to reaching⁤ an agreement to end the war.

“We should have ⁢an update today,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reporters in Rome on Friday. “We’re waiting for their response. We’ll see what it⁤ entails. We’re ⁤hopeful it will lead us into a ⁤serious negotiation process.”

President Donald Trump maintained that⁢ the ⁢ceasefire was still in effect despite the recent skirmishes. The U.S. is awaiting Iran’s response to a proposal‌ that would formally end the war first, before addressing more contentious issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program.

Mehr ⁣news agency reported that explosions were heard near Iran’s Sirik, close‍ to the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. It reported that an Iranian commercial ship was attacked by the U.S. ‌Navy late on Thursday, ⁣resulting⁣ in 10 crew members being ⁣injured and five ‍missing.

Trump confirmed that three U.S.‍ Navy ‍destroyers had been attacked as they navigated through the strait, and that the U.S. military had retaliated.

“Three top-tier American Destroyers successfully navigated out of ⁣the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. No damage ⁤was done to the three‌ Destroyers, but the Iranian attackers suffered significant damage,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

He later downplayed the exchange to reporters, stating, “They tried to provoke​ us today. We responded decisively,” Trump said in Washington.

Iran ⁢alleges US violated truce

Iran accused‍ the United States ⁢of violating the ceasefire, ⁤which had largely held since it⁣ was announced on April 7.‍ This accusation comes after Trump announced — and then paused — a new naval mission in the strait.

“Whenever⁣ a diplomatic solution is within reach, the U.S. chooses a reckless military adventure,” stated⁣ Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Friday.

Iran’s top joint military command claimed that U.S. forces had targeted ​an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, and conducted air attacks on ⁤civilian areas ‍on‌ Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and ‌nearby coastal areas. It ⁤reported that Iranian forces retaliated by attacking U.S. military vessels east of the strait and ‌south ⁢of the port of Chabahar.

A spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters reported that the Iranian strikes caused “significant ⁣damage,” but U.S. Central Command denied any of ⁣its assets were hit.

Later, Iran’s Press TV reported⁣ that, after several ⁢hours of exchanges, “the situation on Iranian ​islands and coastal cities … is ‍back to normal now.”

The confrontation was not limited to​ the waterway. The United Arab Emirates reported that its air⁢ defenses​ engaged with two ballistic missiles and ⁤three drones from Iran on Friday, resulting in three moderate injuries.

During the war, Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other⁣ Gulf states ⁢that host U.S. military bases. In what the UAE termed a “major escalation,” Iran increased attacks on its neighbor this week after Trump announced “Project Freedom” to escort ships in the strait, which he then paused after‌ 48 hours.

Oil prices remain steady ​at $100

In‌ another incident in the area, Iranian forces seized‌ an oil ​tanker, ​the Ocean Koi, in the Gulf⁢ of Oman east of ⁤the strait, over an alleged attempt to disrupt Iran’s oil exports, state media reported‍ on‍ Friday, citing ‍an‌ army statement.

The statement claimed that the⁣ Barbados-flagged tanker, which is under U.S. sanctions, ⁣was carrying Iranian oil and “was ‍trying to harm ⁤and disrupt oil exports … by ‌exploiting regional⁢ conditions,” without providing further details.

Despite the clashes in the ‌Gulf and reports of diplomatic progress, oil ‍prices remained steady, with Brent crude futures hovering around $100 a barrel.

Trump advocates for ‍negotiated end to war

The latest U.S. proposal aims to formally end the conflict first, before addressing Washington’s core demands — that Iran suspend its nuclear ‍program and⁤ reopen the⁤ strait. Tehran, which had made a similar proposal last week, said it ‍had not yet ⁣reached a decision on the U.S. plan.

Trump stated that Tehran had acknowledged ⁤his demand that Iran could never possess a ‌nuclear weapon, a prohibition he said was implicit in the U.S. proposal.

“There’s zero chance. And they know that, and they’ve agreed to that. Let’s see if they are willing to sign it,” Trump said. Iran ⁣has always maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful and it is not pursuing a ⁢weapon.

When asked about the potential⁣ timeline​ for a deal, Trump said, ⁣”It might not happen, but it⁢ could happen any day.”