BBC World reports: What the president [Donald Trump] would prefer is a deal," Rubio told reporters on Tuesday. His comments came after a spate of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz raised fears the ceasefire between the US and Iran was in jeopardy. The US had said it aims to guide stranded ships out of the Gulf through the largely closed waterway.Tehran has not commented on Rubio's statement, but Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf earlier said: "We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started."Ghalibaf, Iran's top negotiator in last month's talks with the US, said "Shipping security and energy transit have been jeopardised by the US and its allies with the ceasefire violations and blockade.
However, their evil acts will fail".Late on Tuesday the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a verified source had told it that a cargo vessel has been struck "by an unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz. Further details were not immediately available.Earlier in the day the UAE said its air defences were engaging missiles and drones from Iran for a second day in a row. On Monday it accused Iran of firing missiles and drones including a strike on an oil port in the emirate of Fujairah which is located outside the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "dangerous escalation".Iran on Tuesday denied launching any attacks on the UAE, with a military spokesman saying that, "If such an action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly".Operation Epic Fury began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched a wave of air strikes on Iran.
Background
Tehran responded by blocking the crucial waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes.Bowen: Strait of Hormuz standoff raises risk of sliding back into all-out warIn early April, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire under which Iran ended its drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries including the UAE, but few vessels have been able to transit the strait since then. The US also imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports.On Monday the US said it had attacked seven Iranian fast boats in the strait while Iran said it had fired warning shots at a US vessel.
Key facts
- What the president [Donald Trump] would prefer is a deal," Rubio told reporters on Tuesday.
- His comments came after a spate of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz raised fears the ceasefire between the US and Iran was in jeopardy.
- Further details were not immediately available.Earlier in the day the UAE said its air defences were engaging missiles and drones from Iran for a second day in a row.
What this means
Both sides denied the respective claims. Trump was later asked by reporters what would constitute a breach of the ceasefire by Iran. "You'll find out because I'll let you know," he responded.
Originally reported by BBC World. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
