The US military bombed several tankers again on Tuesday in an effort to break through the US naval blockade of Iran, one day after President Donald Trump said "the ceasefire is holding."
Reuters reported the strikes, citing a post on X, formerly Twitter, by a Fox News reporter. The tankers that were hit were not carrying oil.
A day earlier, the US and Iran engaged in direct combat in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said, "While three destroyers were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian forces launched missiles and drones and dispatched small boats, which were struck in response."
Iran offered a different account. Tehran claimed that the US had first fired on an Iranian tanker in violation of the ceasefire, and that the attack on the US warships was in retaliation.
The paradox of "combat during a ceasefire" is expected to continue for the time being. Trump said "Iran has shown a significantly advanced position on an agreement" and on Friday temporarily suspended "Project Freedom," which aimed to guide the escape of merchant ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the naval blockade of Iran remained in place. With the ceasefire declaration and armed clashes coexisting, small- and medium-scale confrontations are recurring, escalating tensions.
