BBC
US President Donald Trump has asserted that a ceasefire is currently in effect between the United States and Iran, despite recent exchanges of fire occurring late Thursday night. The initiation of the conflict remains ambiguous, with both parties trading allegations.
Iran’s highest military officials claimed that the United States targeted an Iranian oil tanker along with another vessel that was approaching the Strait of Hormuz, and reportedly conducted "aerial attacks" on several coastal zones.
In response, the United States contended that its actions were "self-defense strikes" in reaction to Iranian assaults on U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Strait. Trump commented that Iran "trifled with us today."
This flare-up in tensions follows a day after Iran’s foreign ministry expressed that it was reviewing a proposal from the United States aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict.
Initial reports from Iranian state media indicated "explosions" in the Strait of Hormuz, framing them as an "exchange of fire" with what they referred to as the "enemy." Concurrently, local media in Iran conveyed that explosions were perceived in Tehran.
Shortly thereafter, Iran’s top military command released a statement claiming that U.S. "aerial attacks" had struck areas along the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. They asserted that they promptly retaliated by targeting U.S. military vessels, causing "significant damage," and accused the United States of breaching the ceasefire.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) characterized the Iranian strikes as "unprovoked," asserting that Iranian forces launched "multiple missiles, drones, and small boats" while U.S. Navy destroyers navigated through the strait. Centcom stated that it had "neutralized inbound threats and targeted Iranian military installations responsible for attacks on U.S. forces, including missile and drone launch sites, command and control centers, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance points."
"Centcom does not seek escalation but is prepared to safeguard American forces," the statement emphasized.
President Trump conveyed on Truth Social that the U.S. had effectively engaged multiple small boats that "dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!" He noted that "great damage" was inflicted upon the Iranian attackers.
Furthermore, Trump reiterated a caution regarding the peace negotiations, asserting, "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!"
An Israeli source informed the BBC that "there was no Israeli involvement" in the recent confrontations.
The escalation in tensions occurs despite the president's recent assertions that the conflict in Iran would be resolved "quickly."
The White House appears to be nearing a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran, which could establish a framework for more comprehensive nuclear discussions.
On Wednesday, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson stated that the latest U.S. proposal was under consideration, and Tehran would communicate its perspectives with mediators from Pakistan.
Pakistan's foreign minister stated that the country is "working to convert this ceasefire into a permanent end to this war."
However, a senior Iranian parliamentary figure dismissed the 14-point memorandum of understanding as a mere "wish list."
Both the United States and Iran have indicated that they may escalate violence if their respective preconditions for a peace agreement are not satisfied.
In a Truth Social post dated May 6, Trump warned that if Iran failed to agree to a deal, "the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."
Subsequently, Ebrahim Rezaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, indicated on X that Iran "has its finger on the trigger," warning of a "harsh and regret-inducing response" should the U.S. not "surrender and grant necessary conditions."
Previous statements from Trump indicated that Operation Epic Fury — the initial U.S.-Israeli offensive in Iran — would conclude "assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to." Prior to this, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the operation had achieved its objectives and was over.
Trump reiterated, for the second time, that Iran had consented to never pursue a nuclear weapon "among other things," a claim that Tehran has yet to verify. The status of Iran's nuclear program remains a significant obstacle in negotiations between the two nations.
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