US Awaits Iran’s Response as Trump Threatens Bombing and US Fires on Iranian-Flagged Tanker

The United States is awaiting Iran’s response to a proposal to end the war, with CNN saying Iran is expected to respond “today” and Reuters reporting the US had “very good talks” with Iran over the previous 24 hours.

“Trump says US had "very good" talks with Iran in past 24 hours - Global Times WORLD / CROSS-BORDERS Trump says US had "very good" talks with Iran in past 24 hours By Xinhua Published: May 07, 2026 10:19 AM U”

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The negotiations are framed around a short memorandum, with Axios reporting the US expects a response from Tehran on “several key points” within 48 hours.

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At sea, tensions remain high as the US military fired on an Iranian-flagged tanker heading to an Iranian port, enforcing its blockade, according to CNN.

Trump also tied the diplomatic push to force, saying on Wednesday that “if it doesn’t end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them,” while Iran continued reviewing the proposal through Pakistani mediation, according to BBC.

Iran and the US have delivered conflicting signals on how close talks are, with The Guardian reporting Ebrahim Rezaei called the proposal an “American wish list” and “not a reality.”

Trump, by contrast, told reporters in the Oval Office that “We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” and he said the war could be “over quickly.”

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The BBC reported that Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the American proposal is “still being considered” and that Tehran would inform Pakistani mediators after concluding its review.

On the substance of any framework, the BBC said the provisions include a suspension on Iranian nuclear enrichment, the lifting of sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while the Guardian said Iranian officials sought to dampen expectations by describing the process as review rather than agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the stakes as the US and Iran weigh any shift from blockade and escort operations to reopened transit.

“Trump says talks with Iran progressing well in last 24 hours, deal 'very possible' 'They want to make a deal”

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CNN said Iran launched a website for a body it said will govern traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as an effort to formalize control in defiance of US warnings.

NBC reported that Trump’s “Project Freedom” escort plan was paused after Saudi Arabia refused to allow the US military to use its bases and airspace, forcing the president to halt the operation to restore access.

The BBC added that the crucial waterway has effectively been blockaded by Iran since the US and Israel began attacking it in late February, and it said few vessels have been able to transit the strait since the April 7 ceasefire.

With the proposal under review and the US signaling consequences, the next step in the sources is Iran’s response to the proposal via Pakistani mediators and the potential framework for reopening the waterway within 30 days of signing, as described by BBC.