US and Iranian forces clashed again in the Strait of Hormuz. Although the intensity of this exchange was as limited as before, the repeated skirmishes between the two sides during the ceasefire have heightened concerns over how long the truce agreement can hold.
The latest clash occurred between the evening of Thursday (May 7) local time and the early hours of the following day. Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz. The US, on the other hand, claimed that Iran attacked three US destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, prompting self-defense actions, including strikes on military targets inside Iran.
Later, the US Central Command posted on social media platform X, stating that Iranian forces fired multiple missiles at three US destroyers and launched attacks using drones and small boats, but the destroyers were not hit. The three destroyers were USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason.
The US military immediately retaliated against the Iranian military facilities that launched the attacks, including missile and drone launch positions, and also struck a naval checkpoint in southern Iran.
US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday that the ceasefire agreement with Iran remains in effect, calling this incident just a “small warning.” He said, “If Iran does not sign an agreement soon, the strikes will be much more severe in the future.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday strongly condemning the US military’s attacks on two Iranian oil tankers and multiple locations along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the Iranian military’s determination to defend the nation’s territory and sovereignty.
Earlier, there were reports that the US had submitted a one-page ceasefire memorandum to Iran, focusing on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting the blockade on Iranian ports. Another source familiar with the matter said Iran would respond within the next two days through Pakistan, acting as a mediator.
Although Iranian state media described this as media speculation and atmosphere-building reporting, Saudi Arabian media also quoted diplomatic sources on Friday, predicting that Iran would respond on Friday. The report indicated that the US and Iran are “very close” to reaching an agreement on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains grim. Global shipping intelligence media Lloyd’s List reported on Friday that Iran has established an agency specifically responsible for reviewing applications from ships seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz and collecting fees.
The report stated: “Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority has introduced a new framework requiring vessels to obtain transit permits and pay passage fees before sailing. They must submit detailed information on vessel ownership, insurance, crew, and intended route to the Authority.”
The US has also joined forces with its Persian Gulf allies to pressure the United Nations to demand that Iran lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a relevant resolution proposed by the US and Bahrain on Thursday, Iran must cease attacks and threats against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and be ordered not to collect passage fees and to specify the locations of laid mines. The draft resolution also calls for opening humanitarian corridors to transport fertilizer to alleviate the risk of global food shortages.
According to diplomatic sources, Russia, which holds veto power, has indicated it will veto the resolution.
The International Maritime Organization reported on Thursday that due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, approximately 1,500 ships and about 20,000 crew members remain stranded in the Persian Gulf region.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated at the Americas Maritime Congress in Panama that these crew members are innocent, “trapped by geopolitical situations beyond their control.” He later told reporters that over 30 attacks have occurred in the Strait of Hormuz recently, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers.
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