Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply again on Friday as forces from both sides exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, even while diplomatic efforts to formally end the war continued behind the scenes.
The renewed clashes came at a sensitive moment, with Washington awaiting Tehran’s response to a US-backed proposal intended to halt the conflict and open the door for wider negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues.
At the same time, a reported CIA assessment raised fresh doubts inside Washington about the effectiveness of American pressure tactics. According to a US official familiar with the intelligence review, Iran could withstand a naval blockade imposed by the United States for several more months before facing severe economic strain.
The assessment, first reported by The Washington Post, suggested that Tehran’s resilience may be stronger than previously expected despite military strikes, sanctions and disruptions to maritime trade routes. The finding reportedly complicated assumptions within sections of the US administration that economic and naval pressure would rapidly weaken Iran’s position.
The report emerged as some of the heaviest confrontations since the fragile April 7 ceasefire unfolded in the Gulf region. Fighting intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow but strategically crucial maritime route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies previously passed before the conflict severely disrupted shipping traffic.
The United Arab Emirates also faced renewed security threats on Friday. Emirati authorities said air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones allegedly launched from Iran. Officials confirmed that at least three people suffered moderate injuries during the attacks.
Meanwhile, the US administration continued pressing for a diplomatic breakthrough. Marco Rubio said Washington expected clarity from Tehran regarding the proposed agreement.
“We should know something today,” Rubio told reporters in Rome, adding, “We’re expecting a response from them.”
However, Iran’s foreign ministry indicated that Tehran was still reviewing the proposal and had not reached a final decision by late Friday. Iranian officials continued signalling caution, particularly regarding issues tied to sanctions, military activity in the Gulf and broader regional tensions.
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, Iranian and American forces were involved in sporadic military exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz during the day. Another Iranian outlet, Tasnim News Agency, later quoted a military source claiming the immediate situation had calmed, though officials warned that additional confrontations remained possible.
The US military separately confirmed carrying out an operation against two vessels allegedly linked to Iran. According to American officials, the ships were attempting to enter an Iranian port when a US fighter aircraft struck their smokestacks, forcing them to retreat.
Iran has significantly tightened restrictions on non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory on February 28. Washington later responded by imposing its own blockade measures targeting Iranian vessels and maritime activity.
The continuing instability in the Gulf once again rattled global energy markets. Brent crude prices climbed above $101 per barrel amid fears that prolonged fighting could further disrupt international oil supplies, although prices still remained lower overall for the week.
Despite the renewed flare-up, Donald Trump maintained that the ceasefire framework was still “largely holding” despite isolated military exchanges in the region.
Iran, however, accused the United States of repeatedly undermining diplomatic efforts through continued military operations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi sharply criticised Washington, saying, “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure.”
Iranian media also alleged that a US naval attack on an Iranian commercial vessel late Thursday killed one crew member, injured ten others and left four people missing. The United States has not publicly confirmed those claims.
Rubio, after meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also criticised European countries for not more strongly supporting American efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and challenge Iran’s growing control over the waterway.
“Are you going to normalise a country claiming to control an international waterway?” Rubio asked. “Because if you normalise that, you’ve set a precedent that’s going to get repeated in a dozen other places.”
Alongside military and diplomatic manoeuvres, Washington also intensified economic pressure on Tehran. The United States Department of the Treasury announced fresh sanctions targeting ten individuals and companies allegedly involved in helping Iran acquire components and raw materials used in the manufacturing of Shahed drones and other military equipment.
The sanctions reportedly included entities based in China and Hong Kong. US officials accused these firms of assisting Iran’s military-industrial supply chain and facilitating financial and commercial transactions linked to Iranian defence production.
Treasury officials warned that Washington remained prepared to impose additional sanctions on foreign companies, airlines and financial institutions accused of helping Iran evade restrictions, including businesses tied to China’s independent “teapot” refineries that continue purchasing Iranian oil.
The developments unfolded just days before Trump’s expected trip to China, where the Iran conflict and the security situation in the Gulf are likely to feature prominently in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
