US Suspends Strait of Hormuz Escorts Amid Iran Talks

The U.S. Navy suspended its escort operations for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz last week after President Donald Trump cited progress in peace talks with Iran. The move followed a brief period of heightened naval presence aimed at securing maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Iran has yet to formally respond to the U.S.'s latest proposals to end the ongoing conflict, which has lasted over two months. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that Washington expected a response within hours, though no official reaction from Tehran has been reported. A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker is currently en route to the strait, marking the first such transit since the war began on February 28. The vessel's passage, approved by Iran, is seen as a confidence-building measure involving Qatar and Pakistan, both of which have mediated in the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, has been largely restricted to non-Iranian shipping since the war's onset, disrupting global oil supplies. Recent days have seen renewed clashes in and around the strait, raising concerns about the fragile ceasefire that has held for the past month. The U.S. has faced criticism for its shifting stance on Iran, with some allies questioning whether Washington remains committed to pressuring Tehran on its nuclear program. The Trump administration initially called for regime change but has since shifted toward potential negotiations. Iran, meanwhile, has continued military strikes against neighbors and shown no signs of concessions on its nuclear ambitions. Despite internal economic and political challenges, the Iranian regime has maintained a hardline stance, projecting strength amid domestic unrest.