Iran Replies to US Ceasefire Proposal

Iran has sent its response to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal to Pakistani mediators, according to the country's state-run media. The response calls for negotiations to focus on permanently ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and ensuring the security of shipping, state TV reported on Sunday.

The U.S. proposal had addressed a deal to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and roll back Iran's nuclear program. Iranian officials indicated they would prefer to discuss the nuclear issue at a later stage. There was no immediate comment from the White House on Iran's reply.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations told ABC that the administration is giving diplomacy every chance possible before returning to hostilities. Pakistan, which oversaw face-to-face talks between the U.S. and Iran last month, continues to pursue mediation.

In rare public comments, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said Islamabad remains committed to helping end the conflict.

The fragile ceasefire was tested on Sunday when a drone ignited a small fire on a ship off Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported drones entering their airspace, with the UAE blaming Iran for the incident. No casualties were reported and no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The Qatari Defense Ministry said a drone targeted a commercial ship coming from Abu Dhabi into a southern port. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported the attack occurred 23 nautical miles northeast of Qatar's capital, Doha. In Kuwait, the Defense Ministry did not specify the origin of the drones that entered its airspace.

Iran says it is on full readiness to protect its nuclear sites. A spokesman for Iran's military told state media that forces are prepared to defend locations where uranium is stored against possible infiltration or helicopter operations. The majority of Iran's highly enriched uranium is likely stored at its Isfahan nuclear complex.

The U.N. nuclear agency has reported that Iran possesses more than 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. This level is a short technical step from weapons-grade material. Iranian officials have reiterated that any attack on its oil tankers or commercial vessels would be met with a heavy response targeting U.S. bases in the region and enemy ships.

President Donald Trump has reiterated threats to resume full-scale bombing if Iran does not accept an agreement to reopen the strait and roll back its nuclear program. Iran has mostly blocked the strategic waterway, which is key to the global flow of oil, since the war began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb.

28. The U.S. has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in response. On Friday, the U.S. struck two Iranian oil tankers that it said were attempting to breach the blockade. Iran and armed allied groups have used drones to carry out hundreds of strikes since the war began.

South Korea announced initial findings that two unidentified airborne objects struck a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, causing an explosion and fire.