The United States and Iran have exchanged fire again. This comes after a month-long ceasefire that had largely held. Iran accused US forces of starting the fight by targeting two ships at the Strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian areas. Washington said it fired back in self-defense. President Donald Trump called the skirmishes a “love tap” and insisted the ceasefire is still in place.
What Trump Said Happened
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said three American destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz while under fire. He said the US ships were not damaged, but the Iranian attackers suffered heavy losses. He claimed they were “completely destroyed along with numerous small boats.” In a TV interview, Trump called the exchange “just a love tap” and said the ceasefire is still working. He warned that if Iran does not sign a deal soon, “we’ll knock them out a lot harder and a lot more violently.”
Iran’s Side of the Story
Iran told a different story. A military spokesperson said the US targeted an Iranian oil tanker near Jask and another vessel near the Emirati port of Fujairah. Iran also accused the US of carrying out air strikes on civilian areas along the coast. A US admiral said American forces sank six small Iranian ships. Iran denied this and said it had fired warning shots at US warships earlier.
Iran’s Warning
A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a sharp warning. He wrote on social media, “If you see the lion’s fangs protruding, do not imagine that the lion is smiling.” The message was seen as a clear threat to the United States.
At a press conference, a reporter asked why Iran is not backing down when the US is a superpower. The spokesperson replied, “Even Iran is a superpower.” He also called on Gulf countries to work together and realize that the US military presence in the region is a risk, not a source of safety.
Trump’s Threats Continue
Trump repeated his demand that Iran sign a deal to end the war. He said on social media that Iran “will never have that opportunity” to avoid an agreement. He added, “just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST.” He said there is “zero chance” the US will allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. He claimed Iran has agreed to that and said, “Let’s see if they are willing to sign it.”
Attacks on US Allies
The UAE, a close US ally, said it was hit by a barrage of missiles and drones from Iran. Its foreign ministry called the attacks “a dangerous escalation.” Earlier this week, a strike on an energy site in Fujairah injured three Indian nationals. Two people were also hurt when a residential building was hit in Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.
Is the Ceasefire Still Holding
The new fighting raised serious doubts about the ceasefire. But Trump insisted it remains in effect. He called the exchange a “love tap” and said the truce is still alive. Iran, however, showed no signs of backing down. It vowed to keep control over the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that once carried one-fifth of the world’s oil before the war began on February 28.
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