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By Peter Aitken, Anna Commander, and Jenna Sundel
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President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns of escalation between the U.S. and Iran after an exchange of fire between their forces in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
The president told ABC News White House Correspondent Rachel Scott that the exchange amounted to "just a love tap," and that it in no way jeopardized the ongoing ceasefire as the two sides consider a proposal to enact a lasting peace.
"The ceasefire is going," Trump said. "It's in effect."
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Newsweek reached out to the White House by email for comment on Thursday afternoon.
What Happened in the Strait of Hormuz?
The U.S. and Iran on Thursday each reported an exchange of fire between their forces in the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) accusing Tehran of "unprovoked" attacks.
"U.S. forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman, May 7," CENTCOM wrote in a post on X.
"Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) transited the international sea passage," the post stated. "No U.S. assets were struck."
CENTCOM said that U.S. forces retaliated by targeting the Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces, including missile and drone launch sites, as well as command and control locations and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes.
"CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces," the post added.
In a post to X on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz said that it was confirmed to be a Chinese ship that was struck by Iran.
On Friday, CENTCOM reported that it disabled two vessels it said were in violation of the ongoing U.S. blockade. CENTCOM said the two Iranian-flagged unladen oil tankers, M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were attempting to pull into an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. A fighter aircraft from USS George H.W. Bush fired at the ships' smokestacks, preventing the ships from entering Iran, CENTCOM said.
"U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran," Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said. "Our highly trained men and women in uniform are doing incredible work."
CENTCOM said multiple commercial vessels have been disabled and more than 50 have been redirected by CENTCOM forces as the blockade continues.
US and Iran Continue Peace Talks
The strikes occur as Washington and Tehran consider a proposal to end hostilities, with some analysts questioning if this exchange may lead to a full breakdown of the ongoing ceasefire.
Iranian state media said the U.S. fired upon an Iranian oil tanker and American vessels were forced to retreat after Iranian strikes inflicted damage, according to Reuters.
Explosions were previously reported across the surrounding region, including on Qeshm Island, which Iranian state media reported as an exchange of fire between Iranian forces and "the enemy."
What President Trump Said
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Trump also took to Truth Social on Thursday to say that Iranian forces suffered "great damage."
"Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers. They were completely destroyed along with numerous small boats, which are being used to take the place of their fully decapitated Navy.
"These boats went to the bottom of the Sea, quickly and efficiently. Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down. Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air. They dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave! A normal Country would have allowed these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would do it, without question — But they’ll never have that opportunity and, just like we knocked them out again today, 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! Our three Destroyers, with their wonderful Crews, will now rejoin our Naval Blockade, which is truly a 'Wall of Steel.' President DONALD J. TRUMP."
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The strikes prompted Trump critic and former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to call out the administration, saying on X, "The ceasefire is over and the U.S. is attacking Iran. Again. Gas locally here in Georgia is $4.45. Not America First."
Another former Republican representative, Adam Kinzinger, also reacted on X to Trump calling the strikes a "love tap," saying, "He’s insane."
Other Republicans support the administration's efforts in Iran. Florida Senator Rick Scott said late last month, "We FINALLY have a President who has the guts to NOT appease Iran, and the Democrats are mad. Why are people questioning his actions to SAVE AMERICAN LIVES from an evil regime that has been killing us for decades?"
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said in part during a press briefing this week about Iran: "They really shouldn’t test the will of the United States, at least not under President Donald Trump. He has proven, time and again, that he will back up what he says—and if they test him, ultimately, they will lose."
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