CAIRO/WASHINGTON – Iran has formally responded to a U.S. peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to Iranian state media, as tensions continue around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz amid fragile diplomatic efforts.
IRNA reported that Iran’s response, delivered through mediator Pakistan, prioritizes an immediate end to hostilities at this stage. However, no further details of the proposal were disclosed.
In a parallel development, a QatarEnergy-operated liquefied natural gas carrier, Al Kharaitiyat, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and was en route to Pakistan’s Port Qasim. Shipping data from analytics firm Kpler indicated it is the first Qatari LNG shipment to pass through the strait since the conflict escalated following the outbreak of war on February 28 between the United States and Israel and Iran.
Sources familiar with the matter said the vessel’s passage had been approved by Iran as part of confidence-building measures involving Qatar and Pakistan, both of which are playing mediation roles in the conflict. The shipment has been viewed as partial relief for Pakistan, which has experienced energy shortages and widespread power disruptions due to interrupted gas imports.
The United States proposal reportedly envisions a formal cessation of the war before moving toward negotiations on more complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear program. Diplomatic pressure has intensified in recent days as global economic concerns mount, particularly ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to China this week.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, tensions in the region remain high. The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting two drones originating from Iran, while Qatar condemned a drone strike that hit a cargo vessel in its waters. Kuwait also said its air defense systems intercepted unidentified hostile drones entering its airspace.
Iran has significantly restricted non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital maritime corridor that previously handled about one-fifth of global oil shipments. The waterway has become a key strategic pressure point in the conflict, raising concerns over global energy stability.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who has been engaged in mediation efforts, reportedly warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi that using the strait as a “pressure tool” would further escalate the crisis. The Qatari foreign ministry said the two officials discussed ensuring freedom of navigation during a recent phone call, though it did not specify the date.
Meanwhile, Iranian lawmakers are reportedly drafting legislation that could formalize state control over passage in the strait, including provisions that could restrict access to vessels from what Tehran describes as “hostile states.”
Recent days have seen renewed military activity near the strait, marking some of the most significant escalations since a ceasefire began a month earlier. The UAE reported renewed attacks on Friday, while sporadic confrontations between Iranian forces and U.S. naval units have also been reported in the area.
The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian vessels, but Tehran has so far not fully responded to demands for de-escalation. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an internal intelligence assessment suggested Iran could withstand economic pressure from the blockade for several months. However, another senior intelligence official disputed reports of the assessment’s findings.
International response to the conflict has remained limited. NATO allies have declined U.S. requests to deploy naval forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz without a broader peace agreement or an internationally mandated mission.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Miami, questioned the lack of allied support for reopening the strait and warned of broader implications if Iran maintained control over the waterway.
Separately, the United Kingdom announced it is deploying a warship to the Middle East as part of preparations for a potential multinational maritime security mission, coordinated with France, once conditions allow for stabilization efforts in the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
