US and Iran exchange fire in Strait of Hormuz, threatening truce
Updated ,first published
Washington: Iran has accused the United States of a “reckless military adventure” after the United States struck Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, which it said was an act of self-defense following an Iranian attack on American ships.
US Central Command, which controls operations in the Middle East, said Iran launched several missiles, drones and small boats as three US guided missile destroyers passed through the strait late Thursday (Iran time).
CENTCOM said in a statement that the United States prevented these “unprovoked Iranian attacks” that did not hit their targets and responded by striking the responsible Iranian military facilities.
He added that the United States was not seeking to escalate tensions but “remains prepared and positioned to protect American forces.”
Responding to the attacks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday: “Whenever a diplomatic solution is on the table, the United States prefers a reckless military adventure.”
Iranian state media reported that the country’s armed forces exchanged fire with the “enemy” on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, which is also the largest island in the Persian Gulf.
Semi-official Iranian news agencies reported that explosions were heard near the port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. Iran Press TV later reported that “the situation on the Iranian islands and coastal cities along the Strait of Hormuz has now returned to normal” after the fire lasted several hours.
US President Donald Trump said that the American attacks caused “major damage” and that US ships cleared the strait without any damage.
“Missiles were fired at our Destroyers and were easily shot down,” he said on social media. “Similarly, the drones came and were burned in the air. They fell beautifully into the ocean, like a butterfly falling into its grave!”
Trump continued: “A normal Country would allow these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are run by LUNATICS and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon they would do it without question.”
Speaking to America’s ABC News channel, Trump described the exchange of fire as “just a touch of love.” At a press conference in Washington, he also described Iran’s attempted attacks as “insignificant” and once again threatened serious destruction if a peace agreement is not signed.
“They mocked us tonight. We blew them up,” Trump said. “It would be better if they sign their agreement as soon as possible. The talks are going very well, but they need to understand that if it is not signed, they will suffer greatly. They want to sign it much more than I do.”
This development comes as both sides are discussing a possible agreement that would end the war and begin a 30-day period of negotiations on the details of a full agreement.
Iran has yet to formally respond to the one-page, 14-point framework reportedly being worked on by US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Former Republican congressman Peter Meijer, who is now co-founder of The New Industrial Corporation, said on CNN that the nature of Thursday’s confrontation showed that talks were progressing behind the scenes.
“The truth is that our answer is [to Iran’s attacks] “The fact that it is proportionate and limited, I think, shows that productive negotiations are actually ongoing,” he said.
As for Trump’s ongoing threats: “The goal of exaggeration is to get to the point where you are not perceived as a rational actor, so that you cannot predict your moves and your opponents cannot figure you out.”
Despite a ceasefire that began on April 8, most commercial ships and oil tankers do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz due to security concerns due to Iranian gunfire, mines and tolls.
The United States also maintains a naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, targeting ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and aiming to strangle the country’s economic lifelines.
America’s initiative, called Project Freedom, to ensure the safe passage of non-Iranian ships through the Bosphorus, was canceled after less than 48 hours this week.
It has now been reported that Trump paused this mission after a phone call from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who expressed concerns about retaliatory attacks from Iran and said that US forces could no longer use Saudi bases.
Project Freedom involved more than 100 fighter jets and other aircraft and relied heavily on U.S. air power operating from Saudi and Kuwaiti bases in the region.
Also on Thursday (US time), Washington Post reported A secret analysis by the CIA It was stated that the document, based on four people familiar with the document, was forwarded to policy makers this week and concluded that Iran could withstand the US naval blockade for another three to four months before facing a more serious economic problem.
This suggests that Tehran can withstand a longer stalemate with the United States than Trump clearly envisions.
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Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political correspondent in Canberra.Connect with: X or email.
