Topline
The U.S. has fired at Iran at least four times, downing at least 10 vessels, and Iran has attacked the U.S. at least 11 times since the supposed ceasefire began on April 7, despite President Donald Trump claiming the ceasefire holds and telling lawmakers last week the war has been “terminated” to avoid a law requiring congressional approval to continue it past 60 days.
Timeline
U.S. Central Command said a U.S. Navy super hornet struck two Iranian-flagged oil tankers with precision munitions as they were entering an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. Meanwhile, Iranian state media posted a video to social media appearing to show Iranian forces seizing an oil tanker carrying Iranian oil. The ship, the Ocean Koi, was Chinese owned, according to maritime data company, TankerTrackers, The New York Times reported.
Trump said the U.S. exchanged fire with Iran when it attempted to attack three American destroyers with missiles and drones as they transited out of the Strait of Hormuz. He said, “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.” Trump insisted the ceasefire was still in place, describing the U.S. strikes as “love taps.”
A U.S. super hornet fired several rounds of cannons at an Iranian-flagged vessel attempting to sail to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. Central Command said.
U.S. Gen. Dan Caine told reporters Iran has attacked U.S. forces more than 10 times since the ceasefire began, has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships.
U.S. Central Command said it destroyed six Iranian military speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz and shot down missiles and drones Iran fired at ships and commercial vessels the U.S. was helping exit the strait. Trump said Iran took “some shots at unrelated Nations,” including a South Korea cargo ship.
Tangent
Iran has also launched a series of attacks against the United Arab Emirates since the ceasefire began. The strikes restarted on May 4, when Iran launched missiles and drones at the UAE, striking a major oil port and oil tanker, according to Emirati authorities. The UAE also said Friday Iran launched two ballistic missiles and three Iranian drones, injuring three people.
What To Watch For
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. expected a response on Friday from Iran to its proposal to end the war. The tentative deal is the closest the two sides have come to reaching an agreement since the conflict began, Axios reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the plan. The agreement would reportedly require Iran to commit to pausing its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for the U.S. lifting sanctions. Both sides would also agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Iranian news outlet Tasnim the plan was “under review” and the two sides were still engaged in a “nominal cease-fire situation.”
Key Background
Iran has alleged the U.S. naval blockade of vessels traveling in and out of Iran is a violation of the ceasefire. The U.S. implemented the blockade in mid-April in retaliation for Iran’s refusal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly given contradictory characterizations of the conflict. He told Congress a week ago that the war had been “terminated,” noting in a letter to lawmakers there has been no exchange of fire since the war began. Trump sent the letter on the 60-day deadline to require authorization from Congress to continue the military operation, arguing he didn’t need approval since the war had stopped. Trump on Monday described the conflict as a “mini war” and a “little detour.” He’s said previously he won’t refer to it as a war, because a “war” requires congressional approval, yet he’s continued to use the term.
Further Reading
U.S. Fighter Jet Fires On Iranian Tanker After Trump Touts Peace Proposal (Forbes)
Trump Tells Congress Iran War Is ‘Terminated,’ Arguing He Doesn’t Need Approval To Continue (Forbes)
Iranian Leaders Reportedly Still Discussing Trump’s Peace Proposal After Top Negotiator Mocked ‘Operation Trust Me Bro’ (Forbes)
