The US-Iran ceasefire faced its most serious test on Thursday after the two countries exchanged fire near the Strait of Hormuz, though both sides later signalled limited escalation.
Iran’s military said the United States targeted two ships entering the strait and struck Iranian territory.
US Central Command said American forces fired in response to Iranian attacks.
President Donald Trump of the United States told an ABC reporter the ceasefire remained in effect and described the exchange as “just a love tap,” according to the reporter’s social media post.
Iranian state media later said the situation had returned to normal.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters accused the United States of targeting an Iranian oil tanker, another ship and civilian areas on Qeshm Island and nearby coastal areas of Bandar Khamir Sirik.
The Iranian command said it responded by attacking US military vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of Chabahar.
President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran remains in place after they "trifled with us" and "we blew them away." pic.twitter.com/bwjf29bVD4
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 8, 2026US Central Command said Iran used missiles, drones and small boats to target three Navy destroyers.
CENTCOM said no US assets were hit and added that it did not seek escalation but remained ready to protect American forces.
The exchange came as Washington awaited Tehran’s response to a US proposal that would stop the fighting but leave disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme unresolved.
The Strait of Hormuz accounted for about one-fifth of global oil and gas supply before the war. The United States also imposed sanctions on Thursday on Iraq’s deputy oil minister and three militia leaders over alleged support for Iran.
