Diplomatic Track Survives Hormuz Exchange; Rubio Expects Iranian Response
The White House said Friday afternoon that the diplomatic track with Iran remained open despite the Hormuz exchange. Secretary Rubio confirmed the US “still expects” a formal Iranian response to the peace proposal. Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran “will not bow to pressure” but did not declare the ceasefire terminated. The Saudi-Pakistani mediation channel remained active, with Riyadh and Islamabad urging both sides to “preserve the political space.”
Maintaining diplomatic contact hours after an armed exchange in a contested waterway reflects the depth of both sides’ interest in a deal. Neither Tehran nor Washington withdrew its negotiator; Pakistan’s channel remained active through Friday afternoon. The structural incentive for Iran is strong: a signed memo unlocks frozen assets and ends a naval blockade costing Tehran billions monthly. The Hormuz exchange may ultimately accelerate a signing by concentrating minds on the costs of continued stalemate, rather than providing a pretext for withdrawal from the process.