US and Iran exchange fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday as Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats targeted three US Navy guided-missile destroyers transiting the strategic waterway. US Central Command described the attack as “unprovoked” and said American forces struck Iranian military facilities in response. Despite the clash, both President Donald Trump and Iranian officials said the ceasefire between the two countries remains in effect.

How the US and Iran Exchange Fire Unfolded

Centcom said the US and Iran exchange fire began when Iranian forces launched “multiple missiles, drones, and small boats” at the destroyers. The US military “eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces, including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance nodes.”

Iran’s top military command presented a different account of the exchange. Tehran alleged the US had targeted an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel approaching the strait and carried out “aerial attacks” on the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. Iran claimed its response inflicted “significant damage” on US vessels. Both narratives agree that the exchange of fire between the US and Iran occurred. Both agree that the other side started it.

Trump posted on Truth Social after the US and Iran exchange fire concluded. The US destroyed multiple small boats that “dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave,” he wrote. He warned that if Iran did not “get their Deal signed, FAST,” the US would “knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future.”

The Ceasefire After US and Iran Exchange Fire

Despite the US and Iran exchanging fire involving missiles, drones, and naval assets, both Washington and Tehran publicly affirmed the ceasefire remains in place. The clash occurred one day after an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Tehran was considering the latest US proposal to end the war and would share its views with Pakistani mediators.

Pakistan’s foreign minister said his country was “endeavouring to convert this ceasefire into a permanent end to this war.” A 14-point memorandum of understanding is reportedly under discussion, according to US media outlet Axios. A senior member of Iran’s parliament dismissed the document as a “wish list” and warned that Iran “has its finger on the trigger.” An Israeli source told the BBC there was “no Israeli involvement” in the exchange.

Regional Impact as US and Iran Exchange Fire

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said early Friday that its air defences were “actively engaging” with a missile and drone attack from Iran. The attack expands the conflict’s geographic scope beyond the strait. Iranian state media initially reported “explosions” in the Strait of Hormuz and later reported explosions in Tehran. The regionalization of the conflict intensifies as the US and Iran exchange fire while maintaining the ceasefire framework.

What Comes Next

The exchange of fire complicates the mediation effort led by Pakistan. The diplomatic track and military track are operating simultaneously. The ceasefire framework remains publicly intact.