Rubio led a White House briefing with pointed remarks on Iran before traveling to Italy for meetings with Pope Leo and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has said it is reviewing the latest American proposals on ending the war, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the country with a new wave of bombing unless a deal is reached that includes reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

US President Donald Trump has predicted that the war in Iran will be "over quickly" and says that most people "understand" his goal of ending Tehran's nuclear ambitions. His comments come after Iran said a US proposal to end the war is "still being considered".

President Donald Trump said Project Freedom will be paused in the Strait of Hormuz as "Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran."

The United States and Iran are moving closer to an agreement on a short memorandum ⁠to end the Iran war, a regional source familiar with the negotiations said, although Trump administration officials cautioned that talks had previously fallen apart at the last minute.

China believes that a complete cessation of hostilities is imperative, restarting the conflict is unacceptable and persisting in negotiations is particularly important,” the Chinese foreign ministry said after the talks Wednesday.

The president cited developments in negotiations as the reason for pausing "Project Freedom." Iran did not immediately confirm progress in talks.

By Ariba Shahid, Steve Holland and Alexander Cornwell ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, May 6 (Reuters) - Iran said on Wednesday it was reviewing a U.S. peace proposal that sources said would formally end the war while leaving unresolved the key U.

Hegseth said the ceasefire with Iran "certainly holds" for now after a naval clash between Iranian and U.S. forces and renewed attacks on the UAE.

It's the second time the Navy has used force against an Iranian commercial vessel since the Trump administration's blockade began last month.

Israel wants Iran to stop enrichment, dismantle underground nuclear sites, restrict missiles, and cut ties to Hamas and Hezbollah, experts say.