U.S. and Iran did not appear to be any closer to a resolution of their conflict on Saturday after both sides exchanged fire in the Gulf during a tenuous truce. A U.S. intelligence analysis found that Tehran could survive a naval blocade for several months.

The United Arab Emirates were again attacked on Friday, after a recent flare-up of fighting around and in the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington is waiting for Tehran's reaction to the U.S. proposal which would officially end the war, before it can begin discussions on other contentious issues such as Iran's nuclear programme. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said in Rome that Washington was anticipating a response on Friday. However, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran is still weighing up its response.

Test for Ceasefire in Case of a Firestorm

Fars, Iran's semiofficial news agency, reported that sporadic clashes between Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. ships continued on Friday. Later, the Tasnim News Agency cited an Iranian military source who said that although the situation has calmed down, more clashes are possible.

The U.S. Military said that it had struck two Iran-linked ships attempting to enter a port in Iran, with an American fighter jet hitting their smokestacks forcing them to return.

Since the beginning of the war, when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28, Tehran has largely banned non-Iranian ships from passing through the strait. One-fifth the world's oil supply used to pass through this narrow waterway before the war.

The U.S. placed a blockade against Iranian vessels in the last month. A CIA report indicated that Iran would not be under'severe economic stress from a U.S. port blockade until about four months later, according to a U.S. government official who is familiar with the issue. This raises questions regarding President Donald Trumps ability to exert pressure on Tehran during a conflict which has proven unpopular among voters and U.S. ally.

The Washington Post reported that a senior intelligence official had deemed the "claims" made by the Washington Post about the CIA's analysis as untrue.

The clashes extended beyond the waterway. Three people were moderately injured after the UAE's air defences engaged two Iranian ballistic missiles, and three drones on Friday.

Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE, and other Gulf States that host U.S. bases. Iran increased its attacks in what the UAE called a "major escalation" this week, in response to Trump’s announcement that he would be escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but he later halted it after 48 hours.

Trump claimed on Thursday that the ceasefire announced on April 7 was still in place despite the "flare-ups", while Iran accused the U.S.

"Every time the U.S. has a diplomatic option, they choose a "reckless" military adventure," Abbas Araqchi said on Friday. Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that one crewmember was killed, ten wounded and six were missing following a U.S. Navy strike on a commercial ship in Iran late Thursday.

U.S. PURSUES DIPLOMATISM, STEPS UP SANCTIONS

The U.S. is finding little support from the international community in this conflict. Rubio, after meeting with Italian Prime Minster Giorgia Melonsi, questioned why the U.S. was not getting support from other countries in this conflict.

The U.S. stepped up its sanctions against Iran while pursuing diplomatic efforts.

The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Friday against 10 individuals and companies, including some in China and Hong Kong. They were sanctioned for helping Iran's military secure weapons and raw material used to build Tehran’s Shahed drones.

Treasury stated in a press release that it is prepared to take action against any foreign company which supports illicit Iranian commerce. It could also impose secondary sanctions to foreign financial institutions, including those linked to China's independent refineries.

(source: Reuters)