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US Expects Iran to Respond to a Proposal to End The War/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The United States is awaiting Iran’s response to a proposal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Despite an active ceasefire, U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire around the strategic waterway and American forces disabled two Iranian tankers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington hopes Tehran delivers a “serious offer” to move negotiations forward.

US Iran Negotiations Quick Looks

• Rubio expects Iran response Friday
• US disables two Iranian-flagged oil tankers
• Strait of Hormuz tensions continue despite ceasefire
• Trump insists ceasefire remains active
• More than 70 ships blocked from Iranian ports
• UAE reports injuries from fresh Iranian attacks

US Awaits Iran Response On War Proposal

The United States is awaiting a formal response from Iran on a proposal designed to end the ongoing war and stabilize the Strait of Hormuz, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Speaking Friday, Rubio said Washington expects to hear from Tehran before the end of the day and expressed hope that the response would represent a meaningful step toward negotiations. He described the proposal as an opportunity to begin a “serious process” aimed at ending months of escalating conflict and restoring stability to global energy markets.

The diplomatic effort comes amid growing international pressure to prevent the fragile ceasefire from collapsing entirely.

US And Iran Continue Trading Fire

Despite President Donald Trump insisting the ceasefire remains in effect, military confrontations between U.S. and Iranian forces continued around the Strait of Hormuz Friday.

According to United States Central Command, American forces targeted and disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers attempting to bypass the ongoing U.S. blockade. The ships, identified as the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were reportedly heading toward Iranian ports through the Gulf of Oman when they were intercepted.

The strikes followed a separate exchange of fire Thursday in which U.S. forces said they targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for launching attacks against American naval vessels operating near the strait.

Iranian officials accused the United States of violating the ceasefire and described the strikes as a “reckless military adventure.” Iranian media also reported ongoing gunfire and explosions in areas surrounding the strategic shipping corridor.

Rubio Calls Latest Strikes Defensive Actions

Rubio attempted to distinguish the latest military operations from the broader U.S. campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury,” which Washington previously described as concluded earlier this week.

According to Rubio, the recent actions were purely defensive and intended to protect American ships operating in international waters after Iranian missile and drone attacks targeted U.S. destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials continue to argue that the current naval operations are separate from offensive combat missions and are instead focused on maintaining maritime security and enforcing the blockade against Iranian ports.

Strait Of Hormuz Remains Center Of Crisis

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the conflict. The narrow waterway handles a major portion of the world’s oil shipments, and disruptions there have sent global energy prices sharply higher in recent weeks.

U.S. Central Command said Friday that more than 70 vessels are currently being prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports under the blockade, while over 50 additional ships have been redirected elsewhere.

Although oil markets reacted calmly compared with earlier spikes this week, Brent crude prices still hovered above $100 per barrel Friday as traders monitored the risk of further escalation.

Economic analysts warn that prolonged instability in the region could continue driving inflation higher worldwide as transportation and fuel costs ripple through global supply chains.

Regional Tensions Continue Expanding

The conflict’s broader regional impact also intensified Friday. The United Arab Emirates reported that three people were injured during fresh Iranian missile attacks, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a strike on an Israeli military base.

The Hezbollah attack appeared to mark the first publicly acknowledged cross-border operation by the Iranian-backed group since a fragile truce between Israel and Lebanon was established earlier this spring.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused one another of violating the ceasefire agreement, adding another layer of instability to the wider Middle East crisis.

Global Markets And Consumers Feel Economic Pressure

The continuing uncertainty surrounding the conflict is increasingly affecting households and businesses worldwide. Economists say higher energy prices linked to the war are being passed directly to consumers through rising transportation, manufacturing and retail costs.

Analysts at major financial institutions warned Friday that many consumers are now dipping into savings to maintain living standards as fuel prices remain elevated despite recent declines from wartime highs.

The outcome of the latest U.S.-Iran negotiations could therefore have major implications not only for regional security, but also for the global economy heading into the second half of 2026.

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