Pakistan, May 10 -- The US and Iran appeared no closer on Saturday to finding an end to the US-Israeli-imposed war after the two sides traded fire in the Gulf amid a tenuous ceasefire. At the same time, a US intelligence analysis concluded Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months.

Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago, and the United Arab Emirates came under renewed attack this week, a claim that Iran has denied responsibility for.

Washington has been awaiting Tehran's response to a US proposal that would formally end the war before talks on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program. Speaking in Rome on Friday, Secretary of...