The United States and Iran exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, leading to an escalation that threatens a fragile ceasefire. The U.S. military reported that three Navy destroyers transiting the strait came under unprovoked attack by Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats. In response, the U.S. conducted retaliatory self-defense strikes against Iranian military facilities responsible for the hostilities. U.S. Central Command stated that it intercepted the Iranian attacks and that no American ships were hit.
Iran has accused the United States of violating a ceasefire by targeting two vessels, including an Iranian oil tanker traveling from coastal waters near Jask toward the Strait of Hormuz and another ship near the Emirati port of Fujairah. Iranian military officials further claimed that the U.S., with regional cooperation, carried out air attacks on civilian areas along the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. Iranian state media reported that its armed forces exchanged fire with U.S. forces on Qeshm Island and alleged that U.S. vessels were forced to retreat after sustaining damage from missile strikes.
The clashes followed an incident on Wednesday in which the U.S. military used an F-18 fighter jet to disable the rudder of an Iranian-flagged oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port. U.S. officials described the subsequent Iranian assault on Thursday as fiercer and more sustained than previous encounters.
A ceasefire between the two nations has been in place since April 8, though both sides have yet to agree on a permanent peace deal. While U.S. officials stress they do not seek escalation, the repeated undermining of the agreement this week has increased the risk that the ceasefire could break down.