US and Iran Exchange Fire, Trump Says Talks Are Ongoing

Both the US and Iran have accused each other of violating the ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump referred to the attack as a "light slap" and negotiations are ongoing.

08 Mei 2026 09:13 WIB · English

FLORIDA, FRIDAY - A shootout between the United States and Iran has occurred again near the Strait of Hormuz. Although President Donald Trump has declared a ceasefire and negotiations are ongoing, the market remains skeptical.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the exchange of fire early Friday (May 8, 2026). The Florida-based command said Iran had first attacked the US warships. The ships were traveling from the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman when the attack occurred on May 7, 2026.

Iran's missiles and fast attack boats were reported to be directed towards three US warships. The warships in question are the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason. None of them were hit by the attack.

Then, the US attacked locations and launch devices for missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Iranian assault ships. In addition, strikes were also carried out on Iranian monitoring and operational control sites. "CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains in a position ready to protect US forces," stated CENTCOM.

For Iran, the initial issue is the presence of US warships and military aircraft in the region. When Trump announced the Freedom Project to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran already regarded it as a violation of the ceasefire that has been in effect since April 7, 2026.

Not even two days later, Trump announced the cessation of the Freedom Project. It has recently been revealed, as reported by NBC and The Wall Street Journal, that the termination was partly due to factors involving Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have rejected U.S. aircraft from crossing or operating in their airspace. This is because they did not receive assurances from the U.S. that it would protect Saudi Arabia and Kuwait if Iran were to attack, citing that U.S. aircraft could target Iran from those two countries. In fact, access to the airspace of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is crucial for the smooth operation towards Iran.

"These incidents demonstrate that although the Trump administration has officially announced the end of the 'Freedom Project,' the risk of escalation remains high and could easily escalate into a full-scale war; especially if Iranian leadership concludes that the U.S. is using ceasefires and diplomatic exchanges as a guise to gradually increase pressure on Tehran," said Iran researcher at SWP Berlin, Hamidreza Azizi.

Separately, the Joint Operations Control Center Arthesh, Khatam Al-Anbiya, stated that the United States attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States also targeted several locations in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. Arthesh is the regular military of Iran and is separate from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to Iran, the United States attacked an Iranian ship near the Strait of Hormuz first. "Reports of the location of the US attack indicate that CENTCOM's operational area is increasingly approaching Iranian territory," said Azizi, while mentioning that the interception of Iranian ships had previously been carried out by the US in the Indian Ocean.

In addition to the United States, Iran has accused other countries of being involved in the gunfire on Thursday night local time. Although it did not specifically name any particular country, several parties suspect that the country referred to by Iran is the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Since initiating retaliation against the US-Israel attacks, Iran has repeatedly targeted various locations in the UAE. Iran claims to be targeting US facilities and interests in the UAE.

Despite the renewed exchanges of fire, Trump told ABC on Thursday (7/5/2026) that the ceasefire is still in effect. Trump does not take the skirmish seriously. "It's just a light 'tap.' We will crush them harder and more brutally if they do not sign the agreement soon," he stated.

Iranian government media then reported that the situation has returned to normal. This is not the first time that both parties have exchanged gunfire since the ceasefire began. The United States has submitted a proposal to officially end the conflict.

However, the proposal does not address the main demand of the United States for Iran to suspend its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The proposed framework will take place in three stages, namely officially ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and launching a 30-day window for negotiations on a broader agreement.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that Iran will communicate its position to the Pakistani mediator after making a decision. Before the gunfire erupted again, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed optimistically that the United States and Iran would reach a long-term ceasefire.

The spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tahir Andrabi, stated that the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has spoken via telephone with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. "We hope for an agreement as soon as possible," he said.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated that approximately 1,500 ships are trapped in the Gulf due to the Iranian blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez informed the American Maritime Convention in Panama that in addition to the 1,500 ships, there are around 20,000 crew members who are also stranded.

"The stranded crew members are innocent individuals who work every day for the interests of other countries but have become trapped due to geopolitical situations beyond their control," said to industry executives and representatives of the IMO.

As a result of approximately 30 attacks on ships, 10 sailors have lost their lives. The IMO urges to avoid sending vessels to the Gulf to prevent further loss of life among sailors or additional economic losses.

In other regional developments, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to continue next week in Washington, D.C., USA. The meetings are planned for May 14-15, 2026. This will be the third meeting in recent months.

Meanwhile, the US stock market reacted negatively to developments in the Middle East. Several indices on the US stock exchange immediately corrected following the news of the attack. Oil prices also rose again.

The market is restless regarding the potential for further escalation. They do not readily accept Trump's statement that negotiations are still being pursued. This is because, until now, there has been no clarity on when the US and Iran will resume talks. (REUTERS/AFP/AP)

FLORIDA, FRIDAY - A shootout between the United States and Iran has occurred again near the Strait of Hormuz. Although President Donald Trump has declared a ceasefire and negotiations are ongoing, the market remains skeptical.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the exchange of fire early Friday (May 8, 2026). The Florida-based command said Iran had first attacked the US warships. The ships were traveling from the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman when the attack occurred on May 7, 2026.

Selat Malaka Tak Perlu Menjadi Selat Hormuz

Di tengah ketegangan geopolitik, Selat Malaka sebagai jalur pelayaran strategis berpotensi ditarik ke dalam kepentingan politik dan ekonomi negara-negara besar.

Iran's missiles and fast attack boats were reported to be directed towards three US warships. The warships in question are the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason. None of them were hit by the attack.

Then, the US attacked locations and launch devices for missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Iranian assault ships. In addition, strikes were also carried out on Iranian monitoring and operational control sites. "CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains in a position ready to protect US forces," stated CENTCOM.

For Iran, the initial issue is the presence of US warships and military aircraft in the region. When Trump announced the Freedom Project to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran already regarded it as a violation of the ceasefire that has been in effect since April 7, 2026.

Not even two days later, Trump announced the cessation of the Freedom Project. It has recently been revealed, as reported by NBC and The Wall Street Journal, that the termination was partly due to factors involving Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have rejected U.S. aircraft from crossing or operating in their airspace. This is because they did not receive assurances from the U.S. that it would protect Saudi Arabia and Kuwait if Iran were to attack, citing that U.S. aircraft could target Iran from those two countries. In fact, access to the airspace of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is crucial for the smooth operation towards Iran.

"These incidents demonstrate that although the Trump administration has officially announced the end of the 'Freedom Project,' the risk of escalation remains high and could easily escalate into a full-scale war; especially if Iranian leadership concludes that the U.S. is using ceasefires and diplomatic exchanges as a guise to gradually increase pressure on Tehran," said Iran researcher at SWP Berlin, Hamidreza Azizi.

Separately, the Joint Operations Control Center Arthesh, Khatam Al-Anbiya, stated that the United States attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States also targeted several locations in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. Arthesh is the regular military of Iran and is separate from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to Iran, the United States attacked an Iranian ship near the Strait of Hormuz first. "Reports of the location of the US attack indicate that CENTCOM's operational area is increasingly approaching Iranian territory," said Azizi, while mentioning that the interception of Iranian ships had previously been carried out by the US in the Indian Ocean.

Trump Luncurkan ”Proyek Kebebasan” di Selat Hormuz

Dalam inisiatif ini, Washington akan membantu kapal-kapal yang terjebak di Teluk Persia dan sekitar untuk melewati Selat Hormuz.

In addition to the United States, Iran has accused other countries of being involved in the gunfire on Thursday night local time. Although it did not specifically name any particular country, several parties suspect that the country referred to by Iran is the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Since initiating retaliation against the US-Israel attacks, Iran has repeatedly targeted various locations in the UAE. Iran claims to be targeting US facilities and interests in the UAE.

Despite the renewed exchanges of fire, Trump told ABC on Thursday (7/5/2026) that the ceasefire is still in effect. Trump does not take the skirmish seriously. "It's just a light 'tap.' We will crush them harder and more brutally if they do not sign the agreement soon," he stated.

Iranian government media then reported that the situation has returned to normal. This is not the first time that both parties have exchanged gunfire since the ceasefire began. The United States has submitted a proposal to officially end the conflict.

However, the proposal does not address the main demand of the United States for Iran to suspend its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The proposed framework will take place in three stages, namely officially ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and launching a 30-day window for negotiations on a broader agreement.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that Iran will communicate its position to the Pakistani mediator after making a decision. Before the gunfire erupted again, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed optimistically that the United States and Iran would reach a long-term ceasefire.

The spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tahir Andrabi, stated that the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has spoken via telephone with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. "We hope for an agreement as soon as possible," he said.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated that approximately 1,500 ships are trapped in the Gulf due to the Iranian blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez informed the American Maritime Convention in Panama that in addition to the 1,500 ships, there are around 20,000 crew members who are also stranded.

"The stranded crew members are innocent individuals who work every day for the interests of other countries but have become trapped due to geopolitical situations beyond their control," said to industry executives and representatives of the IMO.

As a result of approximately 30 attacks on ships, 10 sailors have lost their lives. The IMO urges to avoid sending vessels to the Gulf to prevent further loss of life among sailors or additional economic losses.

In other regional developments, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to continue next week in Washington, D.C., USA. The meetings are planned for May 14-15, 2026. This will be the third meeting in recent months.

Meanwhile, the US stock market reacted negatively to developments in the Middle East. Several indices on the US stock exchange immediately corrected following the news of the attack. Oil prices also rose again.

The market is restless regarding the potential for further escalation. They do not readily accept Trump's statement that negotiations are still being pursued. This is because, until now, there has been no clarity on when the US and Iran will resume talks. (REUTERS/AFP/AP)