Iran said on Sunday (10 May) that it had sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at launching peace talks to end the war, as signs of tentative movement emerged around the Strait of Hormuz despite renewed security incidents across the Gulf.
According to Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, Tehran’s response was delivered to the mediator, Pakistan. The proposal is understood to focus first on ending the conflict before addressing more divisive issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, although no further details were released.
The diplomatic developments came as two commercial vessels were allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes.
The Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier Al Kharaitiyat, operated by QatarEnergy, passed through the strait and was heading towards Pakistan’s Port Qasim, according to shipping analytics firm Kpler.
It was the first Qatari LNG vessel to make the crossing since the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel on 28 February.
For Pakistan, where prolonged electricity cuts have followed disruptions to gas imports, the shipment offered some relief. Sources familiar with the matter said Iran had approved the transfer as part of efforts to build trust with both Qatar and Pakistan, which have been involved in mediation attempts.
A second vessel, the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Mdl Toofan, also passed through the strait on Sunday after previously being turned back earlier this month. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the ship used a route designated by Iran’s armed forces.
Even so, tensions across the Gulf remained high. The United Arab Emirates said it had intercepted two drones originating from Iran, while Qatar condemned a drone strike on a cargo vessel in its waters.
Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said a “number of hostile drones” were detected in the country’s airspace at dawn on Sunday (10 May), with the army later confirming it had intercepted and dealt with the aircraft, in the latest security incident linked to the Iran conflict.
The UAE condemned the attacks, calling them “terrorist attacks” that constituted “a violation of the sovereignty of Kuwait and a threat to its security and stability”, according to a statement on X from the Emirati foreign ministry.
The incident follows a series of recent drone-related attacks. On 25 April, Kuwait said two drones launched from Iraq struck northern border posts, causing damage, while on 8 April its air defences intercepted a wave of Iranian drones targeting vital infrastructure.
Iran has imposed severe restrictions on non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that previously carried around a fifth of the world’s oil supply. The disruption has fuelled a global energy crisis and raised fears of further economic instability.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani warned Iran against using the strait as “a pressure tool” during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.
He told Araghchi that freedom of navigation should not be compromised and said using the waterway in this way would “only deepen the crisis”.
The latest exchanges come as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for a visit to China this week, with growing pressure from allies and voters at home to contain a conflict that has pushed up global fuel prices and unsettled financial markets.
Washington has struggled to rally broad international backing for military efforts linked to reopening the strait. NATO allies have so far resisted U.S. calls to contribute naval forces without a full peace agreement and an internationally mandated mission.
Britain, meanwhile, said on Saturday (9 May) that it was deploying a warship to the Middle East in preparation for a possible multinational operation to protect shipping routes once conditions allow.
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One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of blaming Kabul for its domestic political and security problems, as Islamabad repeated claims that militants are using Afghan territory to launch attacks across the border.
Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-border attacks pose a growing threat to regional security.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airport, raising concerns over the kingdom's air defences and disrupting flights across the region.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign and ratify their peace agreement as soon as possible, calling it a crucial step towards securing his country's long-term stability.
Georgia is seeking to join the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transport route as part of efforts to boost trade and strengthen access to international markets. The country is also investing in transport infrastructure and deepening economic ties with Uzbekistan.
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