The United States targeted Iranian vessels near the Strait of Hormuz while striking civilian areas in southern Iran, placing a fragile ceasefire under strain as President Donald Trump insisted the truce remained in force and warned Tehran to sign a US-backed deal.
US Central Command said Iranian forces launched missiles, drones and small boats at three US Navy guided-missile destroyers as they crossed the strait towards the Gulf of Oman. It said no US assets were hit and that American forces struck Iranian missile sites, drone launch positions, command centres and surveillance facilities.
“The ceasefire is going. It’s in effect,” Trump told ABC News, calling the exchange “just a love tap”. Speaking later to reporters, he said the US was “negotiating with the Iranians” and added: “They have to understand if it doesn’t get signed, they’re going to have a lot of pain.”
Iran’s military, on the other hand, said US forces targeted an Iranian oil tanker near Jask and another vessel near Fujairah, then carried out strikes on Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm Island. Iran said its forces “immediately” responded by attacking American military vessels.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of undercutting diplomacy. “Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS into another quagmire?” he wrote on X. “Whatever the causes, outcome is the same: Iranians never bow to pressure.”
Explosions were reported in civilian areas in Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, according to Iranian state media. Iran’s Fars news agency said commercial parts of a pier in Qeshm were targeted. Iranian state television reported no casualties in Bandar Abbas.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that three US destroyers came under fire but suffered no damage. He said “great damage” was done to Iranian attackers and that US ships would rejoin the blockade of Iranian ports. He also urged Tehran to accept a US proposal aimed at reopening the strait and pausing the fighting.
The US proposal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop fighting for 30 days while both sides work on a longer truce. Trump has pushed the 14-point memorandum tied to further nuclear talks, but according to the BBC, a senior Iranian MP dismissed the proposal as a “wish list”. Iranian officials have said they are reviewing the latest proposal through Pakistani mediators.
Iranian state media later said Tehran seized the tanker Ocean Koi over an alleged attempt to disrupt Iranian oil exports. Tasnim news agency said the vessel was taken in the Gulf of Oman and moved towards Iran’s southern coast. Tanker Trackers said the ship had been renamed Jin Li and had carried Iranian hydrocarbons several times since 2021.
The clash added pressure to energy markets. Brent crude returned above $100 a barrel, while US-traded crude rose near $97. Oil prices have risen since the war disrupted shipping through one of the world’s main energy routes.
The Strait of Hormuz handles about a fifth of global seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas in normal conditions. Traffic has fallen since Iran moved to restrict passage and the US began an illegal blockade of Iranian ports. Shipping companies, governments and energy buyers have since faced higher costs and delays.
The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones from Iran. The UAE defence ministry said sounds heard across the country came from interception operations and urged residents to follow official guidance. Iranian media had suggested possible UAE involvement in strikes on southern Iran, but Abu Dhabi did not confirm any role in attacks on Iranian territory.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he spoke with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Araghchi about repatriating 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers on vessels seized by US authorities near Singaporean waters.
In Europe, the aviation sector faced concern over jet fuel supplies. The European Commission told airlines that passenger protection rules still apply and that carriers cannot impose retroactive fuel surcharges. The EU Aviation Safety Agency said US-produced Jet A fuel could be used in Europe if its introduction were managed under safety rules.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said he did not expect large summer flight cancellations linked to jet fuel shortages. Transavia France said it cancelled 2 per cent of flights in May and June.
The war also shaped talks in Southeast Asia. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told ASEAN leaders in Cebu that the conflict had raised living costs and threatened livelihoods. He called for stronger coordination on energy supply. According to documents obtained by AP and Channel News Asia, ASEAN was preparing a joint statement calling for the reopening of the strait and better crisis communication.
In Lebanon, Israel is continuing illegal occupation and strikes despite a separate ceasefire that took effect on 17 April. Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israeli air attacks killed two people in Toura, near Tyre, and wounded five. Lebanese civil defence said one rescue worker was killed in an Israeli strike between Rashaya al-Fakhar and Kfar Shouba.
Israel issued forced evacuation orders for several southern Lebanese towns, including al-Namriyah, Tayr Filsay, Halloussiyah, Toura, Maarakah and al-Abbassieh.
EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib said more than three million people in Lebanon, over half the population, rely on humanitarian aid. She said the EU had provided €100m in aid and sent six planes carrying supplies, with another expected.
Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,700 people and displaced at least one million since early March. The World Health Organization said this week it had verified 152 attacks on healthcare in Lebanon, causing 103 deaths and 241 injuries.
Israel has not commented on several of the latest Lebanese reports. Israeli officials claim operations target Hezbollah positions and weapons. Hezbollah has continued to fire at Israeli troops as Israeli forces have invaded parts of southern Lebanon.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, The Guardian, BBC
HT