Tensions Flare in Hormuz Strait as Trump Insists Ceasefire Holds
US President Donald Trump has maintained that a ceasefire with Iran remains in force, even as fresh military exchanges erupted in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the fragility of the truce between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian officials accused US forces of breaching the agreement by striking an Iranian oil tanker in coastal waters and another vessel near the United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah port. They also reported US air strikes on civilian areas in Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island in southern Iran. Iranian air defences responded over western Tehran, with reports of interceptions lighting up the night sky.
The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) described its actions as defensive, stating that American naval forces came under Iranian missile, drone, and fast-boat attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, US forces said they neutralised the threats and struck Iranian military facilities linked to the assaults.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump detailed that three US destroyers transited the strait under fire without damage and claimed US forces eliminated the Iranian attackers. He referred to Iran’s leadership as “lunatics” and warned of more intense military action if Tehran does not promptly reach a deal. The president expressed a desire for a swift peace agreement while noting that the destroyers would rejoin a US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which he called a “Wall of Steel.”
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CENTCOM emphasised that the clashes constituted a self-defence measure, a position echoed by US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discrepancies persist, however, with Iran claiming damage to US vessels and the United States denying any such losses.
The incidents have rattled markets, pushing US oil prices up nearly 3 percent to around $97 per barrel amid concerns over disruptions in the critical energy waterway. South Korea’s KOSPI index also retreated from recent highs as investors reacted to the developments.
Reports from Iran indicated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and along affected coastal areas later stabilised, with Iranian state media describing a return to normalcy on islands and in coastal cities. Blasts were also reported in Tehran following a period of relative calm, alongside air defence activations.
Analysts note differing interpretations of the ceasefire, with concerns that unilateral actions could undermine efforts to de-escalate. Despite the clashes, both sides appear interested in preventing further uncontrolled escalation as diplomatic talks continue.
The developments come against a backdrop of broader regional tensions, including ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon and the West Bank, though the immediate focus remains on the US-Iran naval confrontation in the Gulf.