The U.S. military reported thwarting Iranian assaults on three U.S. navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday and retaliating against Iranian military installations responsible for attacking U.S. forces. This incident underscored the delicate nature of the recently established ceasefire between the two nations.
According to U.S. Central Command, American forces intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and conducted defensive strikes in response. Fortunately, no ships were damaged in the confrontation. The U.S. military emphasized its stance of not seeking escalation but remaining prepared to safeguard American troops.
President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, assured that the ceasefire persisted despite the recent violence. He remarked, “They trifled with us today. We blew them away.”
Concurrently, Iranian state media disclosed that the country’s armed forces engaged in a firefight with an unidentified adversary on Qeshm Island in the strait. The island, the largest in the Persian Gulf and home to around 150,000 residents, also hosts a water desalination facility.
Reports from Iranian state media indicated the sounds of explosions and defensive gunfire in western Tehran and near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. The source of these blasts was not identified by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies.
Earlier on the same day, a maritime data company revealed that Iran had established a governmental body to scrutinize and impose levies on ships seeking passage through the critical Strait of Hormuz. This move raised concerns about international shipping, with numerous commercial vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the restrictions.
### Mixed Signals from U.S.
The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has been relatively stable since April 8. Face-to-face negotiations between the two nations, hosted by Pakistan last month, failed to reach a resolution to halt the conflict that commenced on February 28 with strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.
Earlier on Thursday, Tehran disclosed that it was assessing the latest U.S. proposals for ending the conflict. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei mentioned that the Islamic Republic was reviewing messages from Pakistan, the mediator in peace talks. However, Iran has yet to provide a response to the U.S. side.
In a separate development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Middle East peace initiatives with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The Trump administration’s strategy concerning the conflict has been inconsistent, transitioning from a declared end to military operations to renewed threats of airstrikes if Iran does not accept terms allowing the resumption of disrupted oil and gas shipments.
Trump reiterated these threats following the exchange of fire on Thursday, emphasizing potential consequences if a deal is not reached with Iran. He expressed optimism that an agreement could materialize soon but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.
### Pakistan Awaits Resolution
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaged in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Thursday. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry expressed hope for a prompt agreement between the conflicting parties, emphasizing the importance of regional and international peace.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed the ongoing communication with Iran and the U.S. to end the conflict and extend the ceasefire. Meanwhile, direct discussions between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to resume in Washington next week, as revealed by a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity.
### Establishment of Iran’s New Agency
A report by Lloyd’s List Intelligence disclosed that Iran had established a new government entity, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, to oversee and levy tolls on shipping activities in the strait. This development raised concerns about the freedom of navigation crucial for global trade.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority asserts authority over ships transiting the strait, controlling their passage and imposing taxes on cargo for certain vessels. Experts in maritime law argue that Iran’s actions contravene international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which mandates unhindered passage through territorial waters.
The U.S. and its Gulf allies are advocating for a UN Security Council resolution condemning Iran’s control over the strait and proposing sanctions. A previous resolution endorsing the strait’s reopening was blocked by Iran’s allies, Russia and China.