Trump Says Iran Ceasefire Holding Despite New Strikes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran remains intact despite new military confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. warships, prompting defensive American strikes, according to U.S. officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expects a formal Iranian response to a proposed peace framework later Friday.
US Iran Ceasefire Quick Looks
- Trump insists ceasefire remains active
- Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. warships
- U.S. responded with defensive strikes
- Rubio warns attacks on Americans will trigger retaliation
- Iran reviewing U.S. negotiation proposal
- Oil markets remain cautious but stable
Deep Look
Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holding
President Donald Trump sought to calm fears Friday that the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran was collapsing after renewed military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to ABC News, Trump described the latest U.S. military response as:
“Just a love tap.”
“The ceasefire is going. It’s in effect,” Trump said during the interview.
The comments came only hours after American and Iranian forces exchanged strikes involving naval vessels and military targets in and around the Gulf region.
Iran Attacked US Warships
According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian forces launched:
- Anti-ship ballistic missiles
- Cruise missiles
- “Loitering” drones
against U.S. naval vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz.
American officials said U.S. destroyers were targeted while moving through international waters and responded with defensive military action.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said:
“Only stupid countries don’t shoot back when you’re shot at. And we’re not a stupid country.”
Rubio emphasized the latest strikes were:
“separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.”
He described them as defensive actions rather than part of the earlier offensive military campaign against Iran.
Rubio Draws Clear Red Line
Speaking from Rome, Rubio issued one of the administration’s strongest warnings yet toward Tehran.
“The red line is clear: If they threaten Americans, they’re going to get blown up.”
Rubio said the U.S. still expects Iran to respond Friday to a proposal involving:
- A temporary halt in fighting
- A 30-day negotiation period
- Broader talks aimed at ending the war
“We should know something today,” Rubio told reporters.
He added that internal divisions and dysfunction within Iran’s leadership may be slowing the response process.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains Flashpoint
Tensions remain centered around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes for oil and natural gas exports.
Rubio said overnight intelligence reports indicated Iran may be attempting to create a new authority to control shipping traffic through the strait.
“That would be very problematic,” Rubio warned. “That would actually be unacceptable.”
Despite ongoing military incidents, oil market reactions were relatively restrained Friday.
Brent crude oil rose only slightly to about $100 per barrel, signaling investor confidence that the ceasefire may still survive.
Regional Violence Continues Expanding
The conflict’s broader regional fallout continued Thursday as Israeli military operations intensified in Lebanon.
According to Lebanon’s Public Ministry of Health:
- 12 people were killed
- Dozens were injured
- A paramedic and a child were among the dead
The United Nations previously warned that continued attacks in Lebanon threaten civilian access to emergency medical care.
Proposal To End War Still Uncertain
Iranian officials reportedly are reviewing messages from Washington tied to a broader proposal to end the conflict.
Sources familiar with the talks said the proposal may include:
- A ceasefire extension
- Negotiation mechanisms
- Discussion of sanctions relief
- Security guarantees involving Gulf shipping lanes
However, neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly released the full framework.
The latest military exchanges underscore how fragile the situation remains despite official statements supporting diplomacy.
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