Efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran appeared to stall on Friday as both sides exchanged fire in the Gulf, while a US intelligence assessment suggested Tehran could endure a naval blockade for several months.
According to a US official familiar with the matter, a CIA assessment indicated that Iran would not face severe economic pressure from a US blockade of its ports for about another four months. The assessment was interpreted as suggesting limited US leverage in ongoing attempts to end the conflict, which has been politically unpopular in the United States.
The Washington Post was the first to report the intelligence assessment.
However, a senior intelligence official dismissed the “claims” about the CIA analysis as false, stating that the blockade was already causing significant damage by disrupting trade, reducing revenue, and accelerating economic decline.
In recent days, tensions have escalated sharply around the Strait of Hormuz, marking the most serious flare-up since a ceasefire began a month earlier. The United Arab Emirates also came under renewed attack on Friday.
The United States is currently awaiting Iran’s response to a proposal aimed at formally ending the war, which would be followed by negotiations on more complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Rome that Washington expected a response soon, stating, “We should know something today.” He added that the US was awaiting Tehran’s official position.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the country was still reviewing the proposal, with no response reported by mid-afternoon in Washington and late night in Tehran.
Meanwhile, sporadic clashes continued in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reporting exchanges between Iranian forces and US vessels.
The Tasnim news agency later quoted an Iranian military source saying the situation had calmed, though it warned that further clashes remained possible.
The US military said it had struck two Iran-linked vessels attempting to enter an Iranian port, with a US fighter jet targeting their smokestacks and forcing them to retreat.
Iran has significantly restricted non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began with joint US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. The United States imposed its own blockade on Iranian vessels last month.
Oil markets reacted to the tensions, with Brent crude rising above $101 per barrel, although prices remained more than 6% lower over the week.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the ceasefire was still holding despite renewed tensions in the strait, which is a vital route for global oil shipments.
The conflict has also spread beyond maritime areas. The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones launched from Iran on Friday, with three people reported to have sustained moderate injuries.
Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf states hosting US military bases during the conflict. The latest escalation followed Trump’s announcement of “Project Freedom,” aimed at escorting ships through the strait, a plan that was paused after 48 hours.
Iran has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire, which has largely held since April 7 but has faced increasing strain in recent days.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure,” according to Iran’s Mehr news agency.
The same report said one crew member was killed, 10 were injured, and four were missing after a US Navy attack on an Iranian commercial vessel late Thursday.
Marco Rubio questioned why US allies, including Italy, were not more strongly supporting Washington’s efforts to reopen the strait after meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
“Are you going to normalise a country claiming to control an international waterway? Because if you normalise that, you’ve set a precedent that’s going to get repeated in a dozen other places,” he said.
At the same time, the United States continued to increase economic pressure on Iran through sanctions.
The US Treasury announced sanctions on Friday against 10 individuals and companies, including entities in China and Hong Kong, for allegedly assisting Iran’s military in acquiring weapons and materials used in drone production.
The Treasury said it remained committed to targeting Iran’s military-industrial network to prevent it from rebuilding its capabilities and projecting power abroad.
It also warned it was prepared to take action against foreign companies supporting illicit Iranian trade and could impose secondary sanctions on financial institutions, including Chinese “teapot” oil refineries.
The sanctions announcement came just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to China for talks with President Xi Jinping.