The United States has carried out fresh airstrikes on Iranian military targets. It stated that the move was in response to Iranian attacks on American ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that it launched missiles only after an Iranian oil tanker was attacked first.
US President Donald Trump had said on Wednesday evening that the war with Iran would end soon. However, reports have emerged that the US has launched another attack on Iran.
The US Central Command stated that it acted in self-defense after Iran attacked while a US naval group was moving toward the Gulf of Oman. According to the statement, Iranian forces used missiles, drones, and small boats to target US vessels passing through the area.
Iran accuses US of breaking ceasefire
Iran’s top military leadership has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire.
In a statement broadcast by Iran’s state media IRIB, it was alleged that the US broke the ceasefire by attacking an Iranian oil tanker heading toward the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed its armed forces immediately responded and inflicted heavy damage.
The Iranian navy reportedly used “powerful explosive warheads” in its response and claimed, based on intelligence reports, that the US suffered “significant damage.” It also said that ships attempting to intrude fled at high speed.
Trump says talks with Iran are ongoing
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told journalists on Thursday evening that the United States is engaged in talks with Iran. He claimed that despite exchanges of fire, the ceasefire still holds.
He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons under any circumstances. According to Trump, Iran has already agreed to this condition. He added, “Now it remains to be seen whether they are ready to sign it.”
Trump warned, “The negotiations are going very well. But if the agreement is not signed, they will have to pay a heavy price. I think they need this deal more than I do.”
Peace deal at risk?
Although attacks were reportedly paused for some time following progress in talks between senior officials of the two countries in Pakistan, the recent clashes have raised concerns that the peace agreement could be at risk.
The United States said it does not want to escalate tensions but remains fully prepared and deployed.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global route for oil and gas transportation. Iran lies on one side, while Oman and the UAE are on the other. Rising tensions in the area have disrupted global petroleum supplies and driven prices upward.
Last month, the Trump administration began blockading Iranian ports in the Hormuz region. This move came after Iranian forces announced they would stop or turn back ships entering or leaving their coastal areas. The US said the aim was to pressure Iran by limiting its oil export revenues.
According to the United States, it has seized dozens of Iranian vessels since the conflict began in late February.
Despite calls for a ceasefire on April 7, such clashes have continued repeatedly.
On Monday, the US Central Command said that American destroyers crossed the Strait of Hormuz under “Project Freedom,” an operation aimed at keeping maritime trade routes open.
It also claimed to have destroyed six small Iranian boats and shot down cruise missiles and drones. The following day, Trump announced a temporary suspension of the military operation, citing significant progress in talks with Iran.
