Comprehensive News | Fighting Resumes in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Claims No Intent to Escalate Situation

Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, May 8 (Reporter Shadati, Chen Xiao) According to a report from the Iranian Tasnim News Agency early on the 8th, a spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Khatam al-Anbiya, stated that due to the United States violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking Iranian oil tankers and another vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian armed forces struck U.S. warships east of the Strait of Hormuz that evening. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that a U.S. destroyer was attacked and stated that a counterattack was carried out, but the U.S. has no intention of seeking to escalate the situation.

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a statement saying that the U.S. military attacked an Iranian oil tanker sailing from the coastal area of Jask, Iran, towards the Strait of Hormuz, as well as another vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz near the waters off Fujairah Port in the UAE. At the same time, the U.S. side also collaborated with "some countries" to launch airstrikes on civilian areas along the coasts of Hormuz, Sirik, and Qeshm Island.

The statement said that the Iranian armed forces immediately responded by attacking U.S. warships east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of Chabahar Port, causing significant damage.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy also stated early on the 8th that three U.S. destroyers were damaged after being struck by Iranian anti-ship ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, and quickly withdrew from the waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed on the 7th Eastern Time that three U.S. ships were attacked by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and stated that the U.S. military retaliated against the Iranian military facilities that launched the attack. The U.S. side claimed that while three U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers were passing through the strait that day, Iran launched multiple missiles and deployed drones and small boats. The U.S. Central Command also stated that the U.S. has no intention of seeking to escalate the situation.

According to a report from the U.S. Fox News Channel, the U.S. military launched airstrikes on Iran's Qeshm Port and Abadan Port that day, and also attacked a naval checkpoint in the city of Minab in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran. A U.S. official told a Fox News Channel reporter that this action neither signifies the resumption of war nor indicates the end of the ceasefire agreement.

U.S. President Trump later confirmed on social media that three U.S. destroyers were attacked. Trump stated that these three warships were not damaged, but Iran "suffered heavy losses." He threatened Iran that if it did not "quickly sign an agreement," the U.S. would strike back "with more severe and violent" measures.

Iranian News Television reported early on the 8th that after several hours of gunfire, the situation along the Iranian islands and coastal areas of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to normal.