Iranian state media reported on Thursday (May 7th) that US naval vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz came under missile fire following a US attack on its oil tanker.
According to Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, an unnamed military official said: “Following the US military’s attack on an Iranian tanker, enemy troops in the Strait of Hormuz came under fire from Iranian missiles and were forced to flee after suffering damage.
The report added that the exchange took place near Qeshm Island, a strategic Iranian territory in the Persian Gulf.
Qeshm Island becomes a flashpoint
Iranian state media said the armed forces clashed with “the enemy” near Qeshm Island, which lies in the Strait of Hormuz and hosts key infrastructure, including water desalination plants, and has a population of about 150,000.
However, the exact timing of the incident remains unclear. There has been no independent verification of the claims.
Explosions reported in Tehran
Separately, Iranian media reported loud explosions and defensive fire in parts of western Tehran.
In southern Iran, explosions were also reported near Bandar Abbas, according to the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies. Sources have not identified the origin of the explosions.
Iran tightens control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
In parallel, Iran has reportedly created a new government agency to regulate and tax vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a data transmission company cited in regional reports.
The move sparked fresh concerns in global shipping markets as hundreds of commercial vessels were reportedly delayed in the Persian Gulf due to rising tensions.
Pakistan is leading the mediation effort
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was still assessing the proposals delivered through Pakistan, which is acting as an intermediary.
“We haven’t reached a conclusion yet and the American side has not received any response,” Baghaei was quoted as saying by Iranian state television.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it expected progress soon. Spokesman Tahir Andrabi said: “We expect an agreement sooner rather than later.”
He added that Islamabad hopes for a “peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute not only to peace in our region but also to international peace.”
Trump signals mixed messages on military action
US President Donald Trump has issued conflicting signals, alternately warning of renewed strikes and suspending military operations to make room for diplomacy.
Trump has reportedly suspended a US military plan to secure a safe maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the pause was to allow peace talks to continue.
A Saudi official said the kingdom would not support reopening the strait “by force,” complicating Washington’s operational plans.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
