Iranian military officials say the United States has "crossed the point of no return" after American forces launched self-defense strikes on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
The confrontation began when three U.S. Navy destroyers-USS Truxtun, USS Mason, and USS Rafael Peralta-came under what the Pentagon described as an "unprovoked attack" while transiting the strait. Iranian forces launched missiles, drones, and swarms of fast-attack boats.
U.S. Central Command confirmed all threats were eliminated and that American forces struck Iranian drone and missile launch sites onshore. President Trump said no U.S. vessels were damaged and characterized the American response as "just a love tap."
Iran, however, claims the United States fired first, targeting an Iranian oil tanker and civilian areas on Qeshm Island. Brigadier General Ebrahim Zulfuqari warned that Iran's response will be "commensurate with the crime and more."
The United Arab Emirates activated its air defense systems early Friday to intercept ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran.
Despite the escalation, President Trump insisted the U.S.-Iran ceasefire is "still in effect." Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial, Trump said: "If there's no ceasefire, you're not going to have to know. You're just going to have to look at one big glow coming out of Iran." He later warned that a peace deal with Tehran "might not happen, but it could happen any day."