2026-05-07T23:11:40+00:00
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Shafaq News- Washington
US forces intercepted an
“unjustified” Iranian attack while carrying out “defensive strikes” on Iranian
military facilities, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Friday.
According to the Command, Iranian forces launched several
missiles, drones, and small boats toward the guided-missile destroyers USS
Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason as they transited the Strait of
Hormuz en route to the Gulf of Oman. None of the vessels sustained damage.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 7, 2026
A statement from Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters,
Iran’s armed forces central command, however, accused Washington of violating
the April 8 ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker near Jask and another
vessel off Fujairah. The Iranian side also reported strikes on coastal areas in
Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island, while confirming that Iranian forces
responded by targeting US naval vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south
of Chabahar.
Warning of potential escalation, Tehran asserted that the
United States and its allies “must know that the Islamic Republic of Iran will
respond forcefully and without hesitation to any aggression or violation.”
Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
reiterated that navigation in the Strait of Hormuz would normalize if the war
is permanently resolved, the maritime blockade is lifted, and sanctions imposed
on Iran are removed.
Tehran has restricted vessels linked to the United States
and Israel from transiting the maritime gateway for more than two months in
response to US-Israeli strikes, disrupting a corridor that carries roughly a
quarter of global seaborne oil trade. Washington later imposed similar
restrictions on vessels departing Iranian ports.
US President Donald Trump introduced “Project Freedom” on
May 3 as a naval mission aimed at escorting stranded vessels through the
Strait, but suspended the operation less than 48 hours later, citing requests
from Pakistan and other countries as well as reported progress in indirect
talks with Iranian representatives.