U.S. Officials on High Alert for Potential Iran Strikes; Rubio Warns of Hormuz Disruption

The Trump administration has reportedly heightened its military posture, with intelligence and defense officials canceling Memorial Day weekend plans to remain on standby for potential strikes against Iran. While a White House spokesperson emphasized that President Trump maintains "all options at all times," no final strike order has been confirmed. Amid this readiness, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on NATO allies to prepare contingency plans for the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any Iranian attempt to assert control over the global energy chokepoint would necessitate a direct international response. On the diplomatic front, a significant regional mediation effort is underway in Tehran. Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and a delegation of Qatari mediators have arrived in the Iranian capital to bridge "deep and significant" differences between Washington and Tehran. While Secretary Rubio noted "a little bit of movement" in indirect negotiations, a broader multilateral setback occurred at the United Nations, where a four-week review of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty ended Friday without reaching a consensus on a final document.