A fragile calm settled over the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, following several days of intermittent flare-ups. The United States is awaiting Iran's response to its latest proposals aimed at ending over two months of conflict and initiating peace talks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had expressed on Friday an expectation of a swift response within hours, but as of Saturday, Tehran had not signaled any movement on the proposal. This proposal seeks to formally conclude the war before negotiations commence on more contentious issues, notably Iran's nuclear program.

Rubio met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Miami on Saturday. According to a statement from U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the discussion centered on the necessity of continued collaboration to deter threats and foster stability and security throughout the Middle East. While the statement did not directly mention Iran, Axios first reported the meeting, noting the attendance of envoy Steve Witkoff and citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Adding a layer of development, a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was observed sailing towards the strait on Saturday, bound for Pakistan. Sources indicated that this passage had received approval from Iran, intended as a confidence-building measure with Qatar and Pakistan, both of whom have played mediating roles in the conflict. If successful, this would represent the first transit of a Qatari LNG vessel through the strait since the war began.

With U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled to commence a visit to China next week, there is mounting pressure to resolve the ongoing conflict. The war has significantly disrupted energy markets and poses an increasing threat to the global economy. Recent days have witnessed the most intense clashes in and around the strait since a ceasefire was established a month prior, with renewed attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Clashes Test Ceasefire

Tehran has maintained a policy of largely blocking non-Iranian shipping through the strait since the war commenced with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes across Iran on February 28. Prior to the conflict, the strait was a vital artery, with one-fifth of the world's oil supply transiting through its narrow waters.

On Friday, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported sporadic clashes between Iranian forces and U.S. vessels in the strait. Later, the Tasnim news agency quoted an Iranian military source stating that the situation had stabilized, though cautioning that further clashes remained possible. The U.S. military confirmed striking two Iran-linked vessels that were attempting to enter an Iranian port, disabling their smokestacks and forcing them to retreat.

The U.S. imposed a blockade on Iranian vessels last month. However, a CIA assessment suggested that Iran could withstand the economic pressure of a U.S. blockade of its ports for approximately another four months, according to a U.S. official. This assessment raises questions about the efficacy of President Trump's leverage over Tehran, particularly given the conflict's unpopularity among voters and U.S. allies. A senior intelligence official later described claims regarding the CIA analysis, initially reported by The Washington Post, as false.

The conflict's repercussions extended beyond the waterway. The UAE reported that its air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones originating from Iran on Friday, resulting in moderate injuries to three individuals. Iran has consistently targeted the UAE and other Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. In a move the UAE deemed a significant escalation, Iran intensified its attacks this week in response to Trump's announcement of "Project Freedom," an initiative to escort ships through the strait, which he subsequently paused after 48 hours.

President Trump stated on Thursday that the ceasefire, declared on April 7, was holding despite the recent flare-ups, while Iran accused the U.S. of violating it. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remarked on Friday, "Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure."

U.S. Pursues Diplomacy, Steps Up Sanctions

The U.S. has encountered limited international backing in the conflict. Following a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rubio questioned the lack of support from Italy and other allies for Washington's efforts to reopen the strait, warning of a dangerous precedent if Iran were permitted to control an international waterway.

In Stockholm, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed that European nations shared the objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and were working to reconcile differences with Washington. Britain, which has been collaborating with France on a proposal to ensure safe passage through the strait once the situation stabilizes, announced on Saturday its deployment of a warship to the Middle East in preparation for such a multinational mission.

Concurrently with its diplomatic efforts, the U.S. has intensified sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran. Just days before President Trump's travel to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on Friday against 10 individuals and companies, including several based in China and Hong Kong. These entities are accused of assisting Iran's military in acquiring weapons and raw materials for the production of Tehran's Shahed drones.