(The Epoch Times)—The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under renewed strain on May 8 after the United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles and drones hours after U.S. warships exchanged fire with Iranian forces in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The flare-up marked one of the most serious escalations since Washington and Tehran entered into a shaky ceasefire on April 8 following more than 40 days of hostilities that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes to eliminate what the U.S. government said was the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said in a statement on X that the country’s air defense systems were “actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats” from Iran.
“The UAE’s air defenses are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks originating from Iran,” the ministry said, adding that sounds heard across parts of the country were caused by interception operations involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage in the UAE.
The latest exchange came after the U.S. military said three American guided-missile destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday had come under Iranian missile, drone, and attack-boat fire.
U.S. Central Command said the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, including missile and drone launch sites, command-and-control nodes, and intelligence facilities.
“No U.S. assets were struck,” CENTCOM said, adding that American forces remain “positioned and ready to protect American forces” while not seeking escalation.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to say that the three destroyers had passed “very successfully” through the strait while under fire.
“There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers,” Trump wrote. “Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down. Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air.”
Trump said Iranian small boats involved in the assault “went to the bottom of the Sea, quickly and efficiently,” and warned Tehran that the United States would respond “a lot harder, and a lot more violently” if Iran fails to quickly sign a peace agreement.
Despite the exchange, Trump insisted the ceasefire remained intact.
“It’s just a love tap,” Trump told ABC News reporter Rachel Scott in a phone interview. “The ceasefire is going. It’s in effect.”
Iran Alleges Ceasefire Violations
Iranian officials offered a sharply different account, accusing the United States of initiating the confrontation by attacking Iranian commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state-run outlet Mehr News Agency cited Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, as saying U.S. forces targeted an Iranian oil tanker near the port city of Jask and another vessel near the Emirati port of Fujairah.
“The aggressive, terrorist, and marauding U.S. military forces violated the ceasefire,” Zolfaghari said.
He also claimed that U.S. forces “with the cooperation of some regional countries” bombed civilian areas on Qeshm Island and other locations along Iran’s coast.
Zolfaghari added Iranian forces responded immediately with retaliatory strikes against U.S. military vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of Chabahar, claiming they inflicted “considerable damage” and forced the American ships to retreat.
Iranian state-run media outlet IRNA cited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy as saying that the U.S. warships were targeted with cruise missiles and explosive warhead drones.
Iranian parliament security committee chief Ebrahim Azizi issued a warning on X that appeared to reference Tehran’s growing efforts to control maritime traffic in Hormuz.
“Making the same mistake again and again won’t get you a different answer; only a stronger one,” Azizi wrote. “Respect the new Maritime Regime of Iran.”
The comment came amid mounting concerns over Iran’s attempt to formalize control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global petroleum supplies normally transit.
Earlier this week, Iranian authorities launched the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new state agency designed to vet vessels and collect tolls from ships seeking safe passage through the waterway.
According to shipping intelligence firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence, the agency has begun distributing application forms to commercial operators seeking permission to transit the strait.
The U.S. Treasury Department has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions if they pay tolls to Iran.
Diplomacy Continues Despite Escalation
The latest violence unfolded even as Pakistan continued mediation efforts aimed at securing a broader peace deal between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad remained in “continuous contact” with both sides.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said negotiators still expected a deal “sooner rather than later.”
On Thursday, Tehran said it was reviewing the latest U.S. proposals delivered through Pakistani intermediaries.
The current ceasefire has largely held since April despite sporadic exchanges of fire and repeated maritime incidents.
Earlier this week, Trump paused “Project Freedom,” a U.S.-led naval mission designed to protect commercial shipping through Hormuz, after less than 48 hours of operation, citing signs of progress in negotiations.
The mission had involved roughly 15,000 U.S. personnel, 25 warships, and about 100 aircraft supporting maritime security operations around the strait.
Despite the pause, the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.
Iran’s grip over the waterway has left hundreds of commercial vessels delayed in the Persian Gulf, fueling fears of prolonged disruptions to global energy markets and shipments of other key commodities like fertilizer.
Ryan Morgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
