"U.S. Central Command said in a social media post that U.S. forces intercepted "unprovoked Iranian attacks" and responded with self-defense strikes. The U.S. military said no ships were hit. It said it doesn't seek escalation but "remains positioned and ready to protect American forces." Meanwhile, Iranian state media said the country's armed forces exchanged fire with "the enemy" on Qeshm Island in the strait."
"It is the largest Iranian island in the Persian Gulf, home to about 150,000 people. It also houses a water desalination plant. Iranian state media also reported loud noises and defensive fire in western Tehran. In southern Iran, explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas, semiofficial Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim said. The reports did not identify the source of the blasts."
"Earlier in the day, a shipping data company reported that Iran has created a government agency to vet and tax vessels seeking passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian effort to formalize control over the channel raised new concerns about international shipping, with hundreds of commercial vessels bottled up in the Persian Gulf and unable to reach the open sea. Still, hope that the two-month conflict could soon be over buoyed international markets."
"The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has largely held since April 8. In-person talks between the two countries, hosted by Pakistan last month, failed to reach an agreement to end the war that began Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Earlier Thursday, Tehran said it was examining the latest U.S. proposals for ending the war."
U.S. Central Command reported intercepting unprovoked Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and conducting self-defense strikes targeting Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces. No ships were hit, and U.S. forces said they do not seek escalation while remaining positioned and ready to protect American forces. Iranian state media reported exchanges of fire with the enemy on Qeshm Island, loud noises and defensive fire in western Tehran, and explosions near Bandar Abbas. The reports did not identify blast sources. Separately, a shipping data company said Iran created a government agency to vet and tax vessels seeking passage through the strait, raising concerns for international shipping and leaving many commercial vessels unable to reach open sea.
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