On Thursday, Iranian forces attacked three U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, drones, and small boats. American forces struck back, hitting Iranian military sites near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. President Donald Trump's verdict: "It's just a love tap."
Three U.S. warships came under fire in international waters. The United States struck Iranian territory in response. The president called it a tap.
Three Destroyers, Multiple Weapons
The USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) were transiting the Strait of Hormuz toward the Gulf of Oman when Iranian forces launched the attack. U.S. Central Command confirmed Iran deployed "multiple missiles, drones and small boats" against all three guided-missile destroyers. No U.S. assets were struck.
CENTCOM said American forces then hit "missile and drone launch sites, command and control locations, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes" along Iran's coastline. Unnamed U.S. officials told CBS News and CNN the strikes targeted Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. An Iranian military spokesperson said the strikes also hit civilian areas along the coasts of Qeshm Island, Bandar Khamir, and Sirik, and alleged that the U.S. targeted an Iranian oil tanker heading toward the strait.
A "Love Tap," According to the Commander in Chief
Trump confirmed both the attack and the U.S. response in a phone call with ABC News. His characterization: "It's just a love tap." When asked directly whether the exchange meant the ceasefire had ended, he said, "No, no, the ceasefire is going. It's in effect."
"It's just a love tap." — Donald Trump, on Iran attacking three U.S. Navy destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, May 7, 2026
Earlier that day, Trump warned Tehran to sign a deal "fast" and threatened to hit Iran "more violently" if negotiations failed to conclude. Within hours, three of his Navy destroyers were under fire.
Iran's Account
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of a "reckless military adventure." "Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure," he said, questioning whether it was "a crude pressure tactic" or whether Trump had been "duped into another quagmire" by a bad actor. The Iranian military claimed its forces repelled the U.S. response and that American forces "fled."
The Ceasefire That Keeps Having Combat
Operation Epic Fury, the roughly two-month U.S.-Israel bombing campaign against Iran that began February 28, was declared "over" by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 5. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed to civilian shipping since May 4. Lloyd's recorded no commercial transits through the strait after that date. What replaced the offensive phase was an "open-ended ceasefire" with a U.S. blockade still in place, in Rubio's words, until negotiations conclude "one way or the other."
Three U.S. warships were targeted with missiles and drones in international waters on Thursday. The United States struck Iranian military facilities on Iranian soil in response. Trump called it a love tap. The Strait remains closed. The blockade continues. The White House says the ceasefire is in effect. The Navy destroyers said otherwise.
Sources
- US forces intercept Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships, CENTCOM says — Stars and Stripes
- Trump calls Iran strikes a 'love tap,' says ceasefire still in effect — ABC News
- U.S. and Iran trade fire in Strait of Hormuz; each claims other shot first — CNBC
- 'Just a Love Tap': U.S. Insists Cease-Fire With Iran Is Holding Despite Attacks — Time
- CENTCOM Confirms U.S. Defensive Strikes on Iranian Military Targets Following Attacks on Navy Destroyers — Greek City Times
- Trump vows to hit Iran 'more violently' if deal not struck after Hormuz attack — Washington Examiner
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