Day 70 of Iran Conflict: US and Iran Exchange Fire Near Strait of Hormuz, Fragile Ceasefire Holds
Elizabeth Melimopoulos
On the 70th day of the Iran conflict, the US and Iran traded fire near the Strait of Hormuz and accused each other of breaking the ceasefire. President Trump insisted the truce still held, even as oil prices surged and global shipping faced disruption.
Iran and the US continued to blame each other for violating the ceasefire after fresh clashes near the Strait of Hormuz on the 70th day of the war. Tehran accused Washington of attacking two civilian vessels near the strait and targeting residential areas along Iran's southern coast. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces intercepted “provocative attacks by Iran” and responded with “defensive strikes.”
Iranian media reported explosions on Qeshm Island, strategically located at the gateway to the Strait of Hormuz, and said air defense systems had intercepted multiple drones. Analysts regard Qeshm as a key base for Iran’s “asymmetric” naval power.
The exchange of fire came a day after US President Donald Trump said a deal with Tehran might be possible following “very good negotiations,” but warned the US could resume airstrikes if Iran rejected the terms.
Key developments in the past 24 hours:
In Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed he held a rare meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, describing it as a frank session in an atmosphere of mutual trust. It is one of the first public interactions with the newly appointed leader since the war with the US and Israel began. Iran denied accusations it was behind an explosion that damaged a South Korean ship near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Embassy in Seoul said it “completely refutes” any claims of Iranian armed forces involvement. Iran also accused the US of violating the ceasefire and warned of a “crushing response” to any further aggression.
War diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the war with Pope Leo at the Vatican amid tensions between the White House and the Holy See. French President Emmanuel Macron called attacks on civilian infrastructure in the UAE and ships near the Strait of Hormuz “unjustifiable.” Lebanon and Israel are expected to hold a new round of talks in Washington on May 14-15 to reach a peace agreement.
In the Gulf: The UAE urged residents to take shelter as its air defense systems countered missile and drone threats.
In the US: President Trump said three US destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz “under fire” without sustaining damage, and claimed that Iranian attack boats and small craft had been “completely destroyed.” Trump affirmed the ceasefire with Iran remained in place but warned of a stronger response if a deal was not reached “quickly.”
In Lebanon: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took responsibility for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut, saying “no terrorist is exempt” from Israeli strikes. Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese towns of Doueir, Harouf, and Habboush killed 11 people, including two children, and wounded 36 others.
Global economy: The head of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) said about 1,500 ships and their crews remained stranded in the Gulf due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices spiked after the clashes, with Brent crude rising as much as 7.5% in Thursday trading before easing to around $101 a barrel early Friday.
