With no progress made in ending the war between the United States and Iran, a Qatari oil tanker sails toward the Strait of Hormuz.
2026-05-10 13:07:37
After several days of sporadic clashes, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz was relatively calm on Saturday (May 9). The United States is awaiting Iran's response to its latest proposal aimed at ending the more than two-month-long conflict and initiating peace talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday (May 8) that Washington expected Iran to respond within hours. However, a day later, Tehran showed no signs of progress on the proposal, which would formally end the war before negotiations could begin on more contentious issues such as Iran's nuclear program.
Rubio met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Miami on Saturday. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement that the two discussed the need to continue cooperation to “deter threats and promote stability and security in the Middle East.” The statement did not specifically mention Iran.
According to Axios's initial report, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was also present at the meeting.
According to LSEG shipping data, a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, bound for Pakistan. Sources say the move was approved by Iran and aimed at building trust with Qatar and Pakistan, who are mediating the war.
If completed successfully, this will be the first Qatari LNG vessel to pass through the strait since the outbreak of the conflict.
Pressure is mounting to end the war as US President Donald Trump prepares to visit China next week. The conflict has destabilized energy markets and poses a growing threat to the global economy.
Since the ceasefire began a month ago, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas have seen the most serious clashes since the conflict began, with the United Arab Emirates suffering another attack on Friday.
Since the outbreak of war on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes across Iran, Tehran has essentially blocked non-Iranian ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, this narrow waterway carried one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Iranian forces clashed sporadically with US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Tasnim News Agency later quoted Iranian military sources as saying the situation had calmed down, but warned of the possibility of further clashes.
The U.S. military said it struck two Iranian-linked ships that were trying to enter an Iranian port, with a U.S. fighter jet hitting their smokestacks and forcing them to turn back.
The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ships last month. However, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, a CIA assessment indicates that Iran will not suffer severe economic pressure from the U.S. port blockade in the next four months. This has raised questions about Trump's leverage over Tehran in the conflict—a conflict unpopular with U.S. voters and allies.
A senior intelligence official called the “claims” about a CIA analysis, which was first reported by The Washington Post, false.
The conflict extended beyond the waterway. The UAE stated that its air defense system intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran on Friday, injuring three people with minor to moderate injuries.
Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE, which houses US military bases, and other Gulf states. The UAE called this week's increased Iranian attacks a major escalation in response to Trump's announcement of "Project Freedom"—a program to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz (which was suspended after 48 hours).
Trump said on Thursday that the ceasefire announced on April 7 remains in effect despite the outbreak of conflict; Iran, however, accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday, "Whenever a diplomatic solution is on the table, the United States chooses reckless military adventures."
The United States has received little international support in the conflict. Following a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, Rubio questioned why Italy and other allies were not supporting Washington's efforts to reopen the Straits, warning that allowing Tehran control of international waterways would set a dangerous precedent.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in Stockholm that the common goal of European countries is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and that they are working to bridge their differences with Washington.
Britain is working with France to develop plans to ensure safe passage through the Straits once the situation stabilizes. The country said on Saturday it would deploy a warship to the Middle East in preparation for such multinational missions.
While advancing diplomatic efforts, the United States has also intensified sanctions against Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday (May 8) that Washington expected Iran to respond within hours. However, a day later, Tehran showed no signs of progress on the proposal, which would formally end the war before negotiations could begin on more contentious issues such as Iran's nuclear program.
Rubio met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Miami on Saturday. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement that the two discussed the need to continue cooperation to “deter threats and promote stability and security in the Middle East.” The statement did not specifically mention Iran.
According to Axios's initial report, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was also present at the meeting.
According to LSEG shipping data, a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, bound for Pakistan. Sources say the move was approved by Iran and aimed at building trust with Qatar and Pakistan, who are mediating the war.
If completed successfully, this will be the first Qatari LNG vessel to pass through the strait since the outbreak of the conflict.
Pressure is mounting to end the war as US President Donald Trump prepares to visit China next week. The conflict has destabilized energy markets and poses a growing threat to the global economy.
Since the ceasefire began a month ago, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas have seen the most serious clashes since the conflict began, with the United Arab Emirates suffering another attack on Friday.
Conflict tests ceasefire agreement
Since the outbreak of war on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes across Iran, Tehran has essentially blocked non-Iranian ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, this narrow waterway carried one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Iranian forces clashed sporadically with US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Tasnim News Agency later quoted Iranian military sources as saying the situation had calmed down, but warned of the possibility of further clashes.
The U.S. military said it struck two Iranian-linked ships that were trying to enter an Iranian port, with a U.S. fighter jet hitting their smokestacks and forcing them to turn back.
The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ships last month. However, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, a CIA assessment indicates that Iran will not suffer severe economic pressure from the U.S. port blockade in the next four months. This has raised questions about Trump's leverage over Tehran in the conflict—a conflict unpopular with U.S. voters and allies.
A senior intelligence official called the “claims” about a CIA analysis, which was first reported by The Washington Post, false.
The conflict extended beyond the waterway. The UAE stated that its air defense system intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran on Friday, injuring three people with minor to moderate injuries.
Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE, which houses US military bases, and other Gulf states. The UAE called this week's increased Iranian attacks a major escalation in response to Trump's announcement of "Project Freedom"—a program to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz (which was suspended after 48 hours).
Trump said on Thursday that the ceasefire announced on April 7 remains in effect despite the outbreak of conflict; Iran, however, accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday, "Whenever a diplomatic solution is on the table, the United States chooses reckless military adventures."
The United States advances diplomacy while strengthening sanctions.
The United States has received little international support in the conflict. Following a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, Rubio questioned why Italy and other allies were not supporting Washington's efforts to reopen the Straits, warning that allowing Tehran control of international waterways would set a dangerous precedent.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in Stockholm that the common goal of European countries is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and that they are working to bridge their differences with Washington.
Britain is working with France to develop plans to ensure safe passage through the Straits once the situation stabilizes. The country said on Saturday it would deploy a warship to the Middle East in preparation for such multinational missions.
While advancing diplomatic efforts, the United States has also intensified sanctions against Iran.
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