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The United States has targeted Iranian positions, including the largest island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as a response to recent drone and missile assaults on American naval vessels. President Donald Trump described these US military actions as merely a “love tap,” asserting that a ceasefire remains intact despite the exchange of hostilities overnight. Iranian forces had launched a barrage of missiles, drones, and small boats at US Navy destroyers navigating the strait, yet the American fleet emerged unscathed. In retaliation, US aerial operations targeted the coastal areas of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. Iranian state television reported explosions at Qeshm Island’s Bahman pier during the skirmish, claiming the tenuous ceasefire had been breached. In a phone interview with ABC News, Trump emphasized that the strikes were not a sign of renewed conflict.
Ceasefire is GoingÂ
Trump reiterated, calling the actions a “love tap” and maintaining that the ceasefire was still effective. He elaborated on Truth Social that the US successfully maneuvered three “world-class American Destroyers” through the Strait of Hormuz without sustaining damage. “Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire,” he stated. “There was no damage to the Destroyers, but significant damage to the Iranian attackers, who were completely neutralized along with numerous small boats replacing their diminished navy.” According to Trump, Iranian missiles and drones failed to inflict any harm on US assets. US officials assured Fox News that these events do not signal either a resurgence of hostilities or the end of the ceasefire.
Civilian Areas or Military Sites?Â
However, Iran’s top military command accused the US of conducting airstrikes on “civilian areas” with assistance from regional partners. “These boats quickly and efficiently sank to the bottom of the sea. Missiles fired at our Destroyers were easily intercepted, and the drones were incinerated mid-air, falling gracefully into the ocean,” Trump remarked, likening their descent to “a butterfly dropping to its grave.” He criticized Iran as “not a normal country” for obstructing the destroyers’ passage through the waterway, describing their leadership as “LUNATICS” who would use nuclear weapons if given the chance. Trump assured that this would never occur, warning of more severe actions if Iran fails to finalize a deal swiftly. He concluded by describing the destroyers as part of a “Wall of Steel” amid the US naval blockade of the strait. Meanwhile, President Trump reportedly sent a one-page memo proposing concessions to achieve lasting peace, including lifting US sanctions, unfreezing billions in assets, and paving the way for uranium enrichment.
The 14-point memorandum of understanding is being negotiated between senior Iranian officials and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner . The White House believes the memo could finalize a framework to end the war within 48 hours. If signed, a 30-day window would open for both countries to negotiate a larger agreement covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of all US sanctions on Iran, and new limits on its nuclear program. The deal calls for Iran to halt all uranium enrichment for 12 to 15 years with automatic extensions if Tehran violates the terms, according to Axios. Another key provision would have the regime remove its highly enriched uranium stockpile from the country, though the memo does not specify a destination.
Trump has been at pains to avoid anything resembling the 2015 Obama deal he spent years trashing as the ‘worst deal ever.’ But the emerging framework echoes it in striking ways: sanctions lifted, frozen billions released and Iran capped at the same 3.67 percent enrichment level agreed to by Obama. Oil prices plunged on news of the proposed deal with Brent crude, the global benchmark, falling by more than 10 percent to below $100 per barrel. Stock futures tied to the Dow rose 1.1 percent, S&P 500 futures surged 0.9 percent, while Nasdaq futures climbed 1.6 percent. Behind the scenes, Israel is already lining up fresh strikes on Iran should the deal collapse, with senior Iranian officials and the country’s energy infrastructure squarely in the crosshairs, an Israeli source told CNN.
The bombardments had been ready for execution on the eve of the ceasefire agreed in early April and were accelerated again this week after Iranian missiles were fired toward the United Arab Emirates on Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wary of Tehran’s peace overtures from the outset, is said to favor ‘a short campaign aimed at pressuring Iran into further concessions in negotiations,’ the source added.
