US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect
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US President Donald Trump told an ABC reporter that the ceasefire was still in effect and sought to downplay the exchange of fire between the US and Iran.
PHOTO: AFP
- The US and Iran exchanged fire on May 7 in the Strait of Hormuz, jeopardising an April 7 ceasefire. Both sides blamed each other for unprovoked attacks.
- Hostilities erupted as the US awaited Iran’s response to a peace proposal. This plan aims to stop fighting but leaves Iran's nuclear programme unresolved.
- The US sanctioned Iraqi officials for Iran support. Separately, Israel killed a Hezbollah commander, with halting such strikes a key Iranian demand.
AI generated
WASHINGTON/DUBAI – The US and Iran exchanged fire on May 7, in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire, but Iran said the situation returned to normal, while the US said it did not want to escalate.
The renewed hostilities broke out as Washington was awaiting Iran’s response to a US proposal that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved for now.
Iran’s military said the US targeted two ships entering the Strait of Hormuz and carried out strikes on Iranian territory. The US military said it fired in response to Iranian attacks.
US President Donald Trump told reporters that the ceasefire was still in effect and sought to downplay the exchange.
“They trifled with us today. We blew them away,” he said, while inspecting renovations to the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool in Washington.
Iran’s top joint military command accused the US of violating the ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another ship, and of carrying out air attacks on civilian areas on Qeshm Island in the strait and nearby coastal areas of Bandar Khamir Sirik on the mainland.
The military said it responded by attacking US military vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of the port of Chabahar.
A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the strikes inflicted “significant damage”, but US Central Command (CENTCOM) said none of its assets was hit.
CENTCOM said Iran had used missiles, drones and small boats in the attack, which targeted three navy destroyers. The US said it targeted missile and drone sites and other locations in response.
“CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces,” it said in a statement.
Iran also said it would respond if attacked.
“(The) US and its allies must know that Iran will respond forcefully and without the slightest hesitation to any act of aggression or attack,” the military spokesperson said, according to state television.
Iran’s Press TV later reported that, following several hours of fire, “the situation on Iranian islands and coastal cities by the Strait of Hormuz is back to normal now”.
The two sides have occasionally exchanged gunfire since the ceasefire took effect on April 7.
On May 4, the US military said it destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones as Tehran sought to thwart a US naval effort to open shipping through the strait.
Trump urges Iran to accept negotiated end to war
Mr Trump suggested ongoing talks with Tehran remained on track despite the hostilities on May 7, telling reporters: “We’re negotiating with the Iranians.”
Before the latest exchanges, the US had floated a proposal to formally end the conflict.
But it does not address key US demands that Iran suspend its nuclear work and reopen the strait, which handled one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply before the war.
Tehran said it had not yet reached a conclusion on the emerging plan.
Even so, Mr Trump said Iran had acknowledged his demand that Iran could never get a nuclear weapon, a prohibition he said was spelt out in the US proposal.
“There’s zero chance. And they know that, and they’ve agreed to that. Let’s see if they are willing to sign it,” Mr Trump said.
Asked when any deal might be reached, he said: “It might not happen, but it could happen any day. I believe they want to deal more than I do.”
The war has tested Mr Trump’s relationship with his US base of supporters, after he had campaigned against involving the US in foreign wars and promised to bring down fuel prices.
US crude futures rose as much as 3 per cent in early trading in Asia on May 8 after the renewed hostilities broke out.
US petrol prices have climbed more than 40 per cent since late February, rising by about US$1.20 a gallon to more than US$4, according to data from the American Automobile Association, as disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz pushed crude oil prices higher.
Markets have swung sharply during the war as hopes for a peace deal repeatedly rose and faded. REUTERS
