Treacherous Aggression: UAE Says Iran Cannot Be Trusted Over Hormuz

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated that Iran cannot be trusted over unilateral arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump faced a formal deadline to end the war under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, with hostilities reportedly terminated for purposes of the resolution due to the April ceasefire. A State Department cable invited partner nations to join the Maritime Freedom Construct to enable ships to navigate the strait. Brent crude traded above $111 a barrel. France, Britain and others had held talks on contributing to the coalition but said they would help to open the Strait only when the conflict ends.

Brent crude rose to a four-year high, trading around $126 a barrel on Thursday and above $111 on Friday. Iran activated air defences and warned of a wide response if attacked, suggesting a short, intensive US strike could be followed by an Israeli attack. Axios reported a plan to present to Trump that could involve using ground forces to seize part of the Strait to reopen it to shipping. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of long and painful strikes on US positions, and Iranian leaders cautioned that quick results from talks should not be expected. The US was reported to be considering options including maintaining or expanding pressure, while Iran reiterated its civilian-nuclear program stance.

Trump said he was unhappy with the latest proposal from Iran, and Pakistan has not set a date for new talks on ending the war.

A ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

Following US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, Iran fired at US bases, infrastructure and US-linked companies in Gulf states, while the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel, which responded with strikes on Lebanon.