• The United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks despite an existing ceasefire agreement
• Iran allegedly launched missiles, drones, and small boats at three US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz
• US Central Command said American forces intercepted the attacks and retaliated with strikes on Iranian military facilities

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again on Friday, May 8, despite claims by US President Donald Trump that the ceasefire between both countries remained intact.

The renewed hostilities followed an Iranian attack targeting three American destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns that the fragile truce could collapse.

Speaking in Washington on Thursday, May 7, Trump insisted the ceasefire was still active, although he acknowledged that Iran had launched attacks earlier in the day.

“Yeah, it is. They trifled with us today. We blew them away. They trifled. I call that a trifle,” Trump said.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iranian forces deployed missiles, drones, and small boats against the US warships.

The military said none of the vessels were damaged and confirmed that American forces responded with strikes on Iranian military positions linked to the attack.

CENTCOM added that the United States was not seeking further escalation but remained prepared to defend its personnel and assets in the region.

Iran, however, accused Washington of triggering the confrontation.

Tehran’s central military command claimed that the United States violated the ceasefire first by attacking an oil tanker and another vessel, prompting Iranian retaliation against American naval forces.

The latest exchange threatens a ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, ending weeks of conflict involving US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.

The crisis also intensified security fears in the Gulf after the United Arab Emirates announced that its air defence systems were intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran.

Despite the renewed violence, Trump maintained that diplomatic negotiations were still possible. He warned Tehran that the US could launch more severe military action if Iran failed to quickly agree to a deal over its nuclear programme.

“We’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said Tehran would communicate its official position to mediator Pakistan after internal consultations.

Before the latest clashes, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed optimism that the ceasefire could evolve into a long-term agreement.

However, many Iranians remain doubtful about the chances of peace.

A Tehran-based photographer identified as Shervin told AFP that neither side appeared genuinely committed to reaching an agreement.

The growing tensions are also affecting neighbouring Lebanon, where ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled for May 14 and 15 with US mediation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon was achievable, although he described Hezbollah as the main obstacle.

Lebanon has remained deeply entangled in the regional conflict after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel following the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict continues to disrupt global maritime trade. Following the outbreak of fighting in February, Iran significantly restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

According to the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, nearly 1,500 ships and 20,000 crew members remain stranded in the Gulf region due to the crisis.

Trump also revealed that he recently held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stressing that both sides agreed Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons.

Iran gives US 30 days to end blockade as Strait of Hormuz tensions deepen

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Iran had issued the United States a 30-day ultimatum to end its naval blockade, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East despite an April 8 ceasefire that was meant to halt weeks of fighting.

The warning came from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which said Washington now faces a choice between what it called an “impossible” military operation and accepting a difficult diplomatic settlement with Tehran.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump insisted that Iran must first end disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and stop uranium enrichment.