US, Iran Exchange Fire Overnight, Trump Maintains Ceasefire Remains in Place
Trump insists a fragile April ceasefire with Iran still holds after both sides traded fire over tankers and drones, even as Tehran accuses the U.S. of crossing a "point of no return."
President Trump declared Thursday night’s exchange of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces did not end a ceasefire that began in early April, even as destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz under attack and Tehran described the episode as the moment Washington “crossed the point of no return.”
Iran’s central military command accused the U.S. of firing on one of its oil tankers, targeting civilian areas, and attempting to leave the strait while ignoring warnings. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said every time a diplomatic solution appears, “the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure.” The United Arab Emirates reported its defenses intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones aimed at its territory.
Trump countered on Truth Social that Iran fired unprovoked on three American destroyers. “There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers,” he wrote, claiming Iranian drones were “incinerated while in the air” and fell “very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave.” The ships, he added, were rejoining a naval blockade he called a “wall of steel.”
The skirmish occurred while Washington awaited Tehran’s response to a proposed peace deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials hoped the Iranian reply would “put us into a serious process of negotiation.” Iranian officials said they were still reviewing the offer but would not accept U.S. “red lines” that include ending uranium enrichment and ceding management of the Strait of Hormuz, conditions Trump had previously claimed Iran was open to accepting.
Both governments blamed the other for initiating hostilities. Iran’s account emphasized U.S. strikes on civilian zones and tankers; the U.S. account highlighted unprovoked attacks on its naval vessels and successful intercepts. Trump told reporters the ceasefire remained intact and that talks continued despite the clear breach of its terms.
The episode underscores how the extended ceasefire has become a shield for the administration against congressional challenges to its war powers, even as each side’s version of events moves the two countries farther from the “serious process of negotiation” Rubio described. What Tehran sends back on Friday will test whether any common ground survives the overnight fireworks.
Original reporting: Truthout.
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