Washington, 09 May (H.S.):

U.S. President Donald Trump stated he expects a critical response from Iran tonight to Washington's latest proposal aimed at ending the escalating Middle East conflict, as fresh naval skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz tested a fragile ceasefire.

Trump made the remarks to reporters outside the White House on Friday, emphasizing cautious optimism despite recent provocations. I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we'll see how that goes, he said, following similar comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who anticipated a serious offer from Tehran the same day. These developments come amid stalled peace efforts, with Trump preparing for a high-stakes trip to China to meet President Xi Jinping.

The U.S. military intercepted Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats targeting three Navy destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, responding with strikes on Iranian military facilities in self-defense. No U.S. ships were hit, and Central Command stressed it does not seek escalation while remaining positioned and ready to protect American forces.

Trump downplayed the incident as a mere trifle or love tap, insisting the ceasefire—effective since April 8—remains intact. Iran accused the U.S. of initiating violations by targeting an oil tanker near Jask and another vessel near Fujairah, alongside alleged air attacks on civilian coastal areas in Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, claimed drone and missile strikes on Israeli airbases and military sites in northern Israel, retaliating for Israeli attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs. The United Arab Emirates reported three moderate injuries from Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, marking repeated violations since the ceasefire.

U.S. forces also sank six small Iranian ships and struck two empty oil tankers attempting to breach the blockade, while Iran seized the Barbados-flagged tanker Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly disrupting its exports. The United Nations noted 1,500 ships trapped in the Gulf due to Iran's Hormuz blockade, which has choked a fifth of global petroleum and gas flows.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and entities, including in China and Hong Kong, for aiding Iran's Shahed drone production. Iraq denied U.S. claims that its deputy oil minister facilitated Iranian sanctions evasion through oil mixing schemes.

Qatar's Prime Minister visited Washington to discuss Iran with Vice President JD Vance, focusing on LNG markets and stability. China urged a comprehensive ceasefire after talks with Iran's foreign minister, while upcoming U.S.-facilitated Israel-Lebanon talks on May 14-15 aim to address Hezbollah. Oil prices steadied at $96.8 per barrel amid stock market dips, reflecting eroded peace hopes.

Trump warned of a lot harder future strikes if Iran delays signing a deal FAST, tying negotiations to core issues like Iran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref claimed a great victory looms, dismissing sanctions as temporary.

These events underscore Trump's aggressive diplomacy, blending military readiness with high-pressure talks to resolve the conflict sparked on February 28. Markets and allies watch closely as Tehran's reply could pivot the trajectory.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar