Iran has sent its response to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal to Pakistani mediators, focusing on permanently ending the war, state-run media said Sunday. Tehran seeks to end hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and ensure shipping security, while the U.S. proposal had addressed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and rolling back Iran's nuclear program—an issue Iran prefers to discuss later.
Ceasefire Talks and Tensions
President Donald Trump is giving diplomacy “every chance we possibly can before going back to hostilities,” U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told ABC. The White House did not immediately comment on Iran's reply. However, the fragile ceasefire faced tests Sunday when a drone ignited a small fire on a ship off Qatar, and the UAE and Kuwait reported drones entering their airspace. The UAE blamed Iran, though no casualties were reported and no group claimed responsibility.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry called it a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and safety of maritime trade routes.” Since the war began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks, Iran and allied groups have conducted hundreds of drone strikes.
Nuclear Concerns and Blockade
Iran has mostly blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global oil flows, rattling markets. The U.S. imposed a blockade of Iranian ports and struck two Iranian oil tankers Friday for allegedly breaching it. Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy warned of a “heavy assault” on U.S. bases or ships in response to any attack on its vessels.
A key sticking point is Iran's highly enriched uranium. The UN nuclear agency says Iran has over 440 kg (970 lbs) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a short step from weapons-grade. Brig. Gen. Akrami Nia told state media that forces are on “full readiness” to protect nuclear sites, fearing possible theft via infiltration or heliborne operations. Most of the enriched uranium is likely at Isfahan, which was bombed in last year's 12-day war and faced less intense attacks this year.
Mediation and Drone Attacks
Pakistan, which hosted face-to-face U.S.-Iran talks last month, continues mediation. Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said Islamabad is committed to ending the conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Meanwhile, drone attacks targeted Gulf Arab nations. The UAE's Defense Ministry shot down two drones, blaming Iran. Kuwait reported hostile drones entering its airspace early Sunday, with forces responding per procedures. A drone targeted a commercial ship from Abu Dhabi near Qatar's southern port, causing a small fire. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center said the attack occurred 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha. South Korea also reported that two unidentified airborne objects struck a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, causing an explosion and fire, with responsibility still undetermined.
