President Donald Trump has issued a response after Iran launched a sustained attack on U.S. Naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which marked the most significant hostilities between the two sides since last month’s ceasefire was established.
In a phone call with ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott, Trump characterized the U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets as limited in scope. “President Trump tells me in a phone call the retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets are just a ‘love tap.’ ‘It’s just a love tap,’” Scott posted on X.
“When I asked if it means the ceasefire is over. ‘No, no, the ceasefire is going. It’s in effect,’” she added.
President Trump tells me in a phone call the retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets are just a "love tap."
"It's just a love tap."
When I asked if it means the ceasefire is over.
"No, no, the ceasefire is going. It's in effect."
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) May 7, 2026
The incidents occurred as U.S. naval operations continued under the framework of Project Freedom, the administration’s effort to facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz amid the Iranian regime’s blockade of the vital waterway. The operation, which was announced by President Trump this weekend, differs from the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
According to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), multiple U.S. vessels came under sustained attack in the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks were described as more intense than those that took place earlier this week, when U.S. forces opened fire on Iranian speedboats attempting to stop their movements.
“Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) transited the international sea passage. No U.S. assets were struck,” CENTCOM announced in a press release.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes,” the statement continued. “CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”
A senior U.S. defense official who spoke with CBS News on the condition of anonymity stated that supporting aircraft contributed to a layered defense that intercepted or deterred every incoming threat. The destroyers completed their transit without sustaining any casualties, according to the latest reports from CBS News and CENTCOM.
As of this report, both President Donald Trump and the Iranian regime have indicated that the ceasefire is expected to hold despite the flare-up of violence.
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