‘Ceasefire still in effect’, Trump amid retaliatory attacks

Iran and the United States have accused each other of attacking each other amid the ceasefire. This raises the risk of the ongoing ceasefire collapsing. However, US President Donald Trump has said that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is still in effect.

In a report, the British media outlet BBC said that Iran and the United States exchanged attacks late on Thursday (May 7). However, it is still unclear who launched the first attack.

Iran’s top military authorities have accused the United States of targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another ship heading towards the Strait of Hormuz. They also claim that air strikes have been carried out in several coastal areas.

On the other hand, the United States said that it carried out a ‘self-defensive attack’ in response to Iran’s attack on US Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said, “Iran has overreached us today.”

Just a day earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it was considering a US proposal to end the war.

Iranian state media initially reported the explosion in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an “incident of gunfire with the enemy.” Local media also reported that explosions were heard in Tehran at the same time.

Later, Iran’s top military command said in a statement that the US airstrikes targeted the coastal areas of Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm islands.

They claimed that in response, they quickly attacked US military ships, causing “significant damage.” At the same time, they accused the US of violating the ceasefire.

On the other hand, the US Central Command (Centcom) said that the Iranian attack was “unprovoked.” According to their statement, Iranian forces used missiles, drones and small boats to attack US naval vessels.

CENTCOM also said it had repelled the aerial threat and struck Iranian missile and drone launch sites, command centers, and intelligence surveillance facilities involved in the attack.

However, it said the United States did not want to escalate the situation, but was fully prepared to defend its forces.