President Donald Trump said the United States is still waiting for Tehran’s formal response to a proposed framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, while warning that Washington is prepared to escalate military operations if negotiations collapse.

Despite continued tensions, a wider cease-fire between the US and Iran appeared to remain intact, two days after American forces struck two Iranian targets and the United Arab Emirates intercepted incoming Iranian drones and missiles.

The White House has been pressing Iran to move forward with negotiations as instability around the Strait of Hormuz continues threatening global shipping routes and broader diplomatic efforts.

Trump indicated that one possible next step could involve reviving “Project Freedom,” the US naval operation designed to escort commercial vessels through the strategically critical waterway.

“We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’d be Project Freedom-plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things,” he told reporters.

While Iran delayed delivering its answer to the latest American proposal, Britain announced new military deployments to the region. The UK Defense Ministry said the destroyer HMS Dragon would head toward the Middle East from the eastern Mediterranean, where British forces have already been helping defend allied assets against potential Iranian attacks.

A spokesperson for the British military described the deployment as “prudent planning” carried out within the framework of a “multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the Strait of Hormuz, when conditions allow.”

The British move followed France’s decision earlier in the week to send its carrier strike group into the southern Red Sea alongside Dutch and Italian naval vessels.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the operation with Britain “can help restore confidence among shipowners and insurers” and stressed that the coalition effort was “distinct from the parties to the conflict.”

Since the war erupted on Feb. 28, Iran has largely succeeded in disrupting activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage responsible for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil transportation.

In response, Trump announced a blockade initiative on April 12 and dispatched American destroyers to patrol the area, search for Iranian naval mines, and escort civilian shipping through the region.

Macron called for all blockades affecting the strait to end “immediately and without conditions.”

Trump signaled Friday that the next move belongs to Tehran.

“I’m getting a letter supposedly tonight. So we’ll see how that goes,” he said Friday en route to his Virginia golf club, where he is hosting the Saudi-backed LIV golf this weekend.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he hopes Iran responds constructively.

Rubio reportedly met in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in an effort to continue advancing negotiations, according to Axios.

Diplomats have reportedly been working on a 14-point outline that would serve as the basis for broader peace discussions between Washington and Tehran.

Sources familiar with the talks described the emerging document as a brief one-page memorandum intended to establish the groundwork for a future comprehensive agreement.

According to reports, Iran’s proposed terms include guarantees against future military attacks, a withdrawal of American forces from the region, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and the removal of US sanctions.

Iran has also reportedly demanded compensation connected to the war, an end to strikes targeting Hezbollah-linked groups in Lebanon, and a new arrangement governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The American proposal reportedly calls for Iran to halt nuclear enrichment activities for 12 years, surrender its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and accept a phased sanctions-relief plan tied to reopening the strait within 30 days.

However, major disputes remain unresolved, particularly surrounding Iran’s uranium reserves and whether Tehran would eventually be permitted to resume enrichment activities.

Meanwhile, US Central Command announced that American forces disabled two Iranian tankers attempting to move through the US-enforced blockade. Video released Friday on X showed the ships with smoke rising from their stacks.

CENTCOM said that since April 13, American forces have diverted 58 commercial ships and disabled four vessels in an effort to prevent maritime traffic connected to Iranian ports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized Washington’s actions, writing on X: “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure. Is it a crude pressure tactic?”