Donald Trump in Washington, May 7, 2026. KYLIE COOPER/REUTERS
Washington has claimed in recent days that the war in Iran was over. However, the ceasefire is quickly beginning to unravel, as evidenced by the exchange of fire on Thursday, May 7, between the American and Iranian militaries. Both sides insisted they acted in self-defense, seeking to avoid responsibility for undermining the relative calm that had prevailed since April 8. This renewed, though limited, outbreak of hostilities is occurring as intense diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the conflict through a framework agreement, which would open a new phase of negotiations lasting one month.
According to the United States, Iranian forces launched attacks using missiles, drones and gunfire from small boats against three US military destroyers transiting from the Strait of Hormuz toward the Gulf of Oman. In a statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted self-defense retaliatory strikes targeting Iranian military installations "responsible for attacking US forces including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes." Iranian sources reported explosions on Qeshm Island, west of Tehran, and in the cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
