Iranians would "never bow to pressure", Araghchi said in a post on X, a day after both sides accused each other of launching attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. "Is it a crude pressure tactic?," his Iranian counterpart asked. "Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS [US President Donald Trump] into another quagmire?" Despite the clashes, Trump said the ceasefire was intact. It is meant to enable talks to end the war that the US and Israel launched in February. Iran is expected to respond to US proposals on Friday, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "I hope it's a serious offer, I really do," Rubio said during a visit to Italy. On Thursday, the US Central Command (Centcom) accused Iran of launching missiles, drones and small boats against three of its warships, in what it called an "unprovoked attack". Iran's top military command, meanwhile, alleged the US had targeted an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz and carried out "aerial attacks" on several coastal areas. Iran has been controlling the Strait as well as attacking US allies in the Gulf in retaliation for the US and Israeli attacks. Some 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas uses the crucial waterway whose blockage has send prices soaring. Trump launched - and then paused - a US military operation to help free some 2,000 vessels which have been stranded in the area since February. The US is also maintaining a naval blockade of Iranian ports in order to exert pressure on Tehran to agree to the US terms. A new flare-up was reported in the area on Friday. (BBC)