US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect

The United States and Iran exchanged gunfire on Thursday, marking a significant challenge to their month-long ceasefire. However, Iran claimed that the situation was back to normal, while the U.S. stated it wished to avoid further escalation. Iran's military reported that U.S. forces targeted two vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz and conducted strikes on Iranian land. In response, the U.S. military confirmed it fired back after Iranian attacks. President Trump told an ABC reporter that the ceasefire remained intact, downplaying the incident by calling it “just a love tap,” as noted in her social media post. The renewed clashes occurred while the U.S. awaited Iran’s reply to a proposal aimed at halting the fighting, although key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, would remain unresolved for now. Iran’s top military command accused the U.S. of breaching the ceasefire by striking an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, as well as conducting airstrikes on civilian areas in Qeshm Island and nearby coastal towns of Bandar Khamir and Sirik. In retaliation, Iran attacked U.S. military vessels located east of the strait and south of Chabahar port. A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters claimed the Iranian strikes caused "significant damage," but U.S. Central Command reported that none of its assets were harmed. Centcom stated that Iran used missiles, drones, and small boats to target three Navy destroyers. In response, the U.S. struck missile and drone sites and other locations. “CENTCOM does not seek escalation but is prepared to defend American forces,” the statement concluded.