Iran Responds to U.S. Peace Proposal as Strait of Hormuz Sees First Tanker Passage Since War Began

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Tehran has delivered its response to a U.S. proposal seeking to end hostilities before negotiating more contentious issues like Iran’s nuclear program. The response was sent via Pakistan, which is mediating the talks, though details remain undisclosed. This development comes amid a fraught and fragile ceasefire in a conflict that has rattled global energy markets and heightened geopolitical risks.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz acknowledged the complexity of negotiations, citing leadership challenges within Iran’s regime. Waltz pointed out that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, is reportedly in hiding after an injury, complicating communication with Tehran’s power centers. Despite these hurdles, Waltz confirmed that diplomacy continues, though progress is slower than hoped.

Amid this diplomatic back-and-forth, a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, Al Kharaitiyat, became the first vessel of its kind to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the war erupted on February 28. The passage, approved by Iran, was a rare gesture to build confidence with Qatar and Pakistan, both mediators in the conflict. The tanker’s journey to Pakistan’s Port Qasim offered some relief to a nation grappling with severe energy shortages.

However, the fragile calm was shattered as Gulf countries reported hostile drone incursions. Kuwait’s air defenses intercepted multiple drones, the UAE shot down two drones originating from Iran, and Qatar condemned a drone attack on a cargo ship in its waters. These attacks underscore the persistent threat to regional security despite the ceasefire.

Iran has effectively blocked most non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint that previously carried about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. Iranian lawmakers are reportedly drafting legislation to formalize control over the strait, including barring passage to vessels from “hostile states,” a move that could escalate tensions further.

The Trump administration faces mounting pressure to resolve the conflict ahead of President Trump’s upcoming visit to China. The war has triggered a global energy crisis and threatens economic stability worldwide. Yet Washington’s efforts to rally international support to reopen the strait have met resistance. NATO allies have declined to send naval forces without a comprehensive peace agreement and international mandate.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticized allies like Italy for their reluctance to back U.S. efforts, warning that allowing Iran to control this vital international waterway sets a dangerous precedent. The UK and France are preparing for a potential multinational mission to ensure safe passage once conditions stabilize, with the UK deploying a warship to the region.

This standoff highlights the Trump administration’s broader pattern of military escalation and diplomatic sabotage. Using foreign conflict as a distraction from domestic scandals and to consolidate power, the administration continues to gamble with global stability. Meanwhile, the people of the Gulf and beyond remain caught in the crossfire of a war that refuses to end.