‘Will hit back harder’: Trump warns Iran after exchange of fire in Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that three American Navy destroyers came under attack.

While passing through the Strait of Hormuz, warning Iran of harsher military action if it does not quickly agree to a deal with Washington. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the US warships were not damaged, but asserted that Iranian forces suffered heavy losses.

“Three world-class American destroyers just transited very successfully out of the Strait of Hormuz under fire. There was no damage done to the three destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers,” he wrote. He also issued a direct warning to Iran, saying the US would escalate its response if Tehran failed to sign a deal soon.

“We’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their deal signed fast,” Trump added.

Fresh tensions despite fragile truce

Trump’s remarks came after the US military said it had carried out strikes on Iranian military targets following what it described as attacks on three American destroyers in the strategic waterway.

Tehran, however, accused Washington of launching the first strike.

The latest exchange has raised fresh concerns over the fragile ceasefire that took effect in early April, ending weeks of direct confrontation involving the US, Israel and Iran. Iran’s military claimed the US attacked two vessels entering the strait and also launched strikes inside Iranian territory. Washington said its military action was retaliatory.

Since the ceasefire came into force, both sides have periodically accused each other of violations. Iran’s joint military command alleged that the US breached the truce by striking an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel, while also carrying out airstrikes on civilian areas on Qeshm Island and nearby coastal regions including Bandar Khamir and Sirik.

According to Iranian officials, Tehran retaliated by targeting US naval assets east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of the port city of Chabahar. The escalation comes as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a US proposal aimed at ending hostilities, though key disputes — including Iran’s nuclear programme — remain unresolved.