Trump says Iran’s ‘better hope’ ceasefire remains in place, while Tehran warns US of being ‘dragged back into swamp’

President Donald Trump said Iran has “better hope” of their ceasefire deal after attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran launched four missiles at a US-backed Middle Eastern ally on Monday, blowing up a major oil port after Trump’s decision to reopen the strait.

Trump later threatened to “blow Iran off the face of the earth” if US warships and commercial vessels continue to be targeted.

In an interview with ABC News, Trump said that despite the rocket fire, Tehran had not violated the ceasefire agreement.

“It wasn’t heavy shooting. Ships are moving. We moved quite a few last night, big ones. There was no shooting. I guess there’s been something lately. I’m investigating.

“Iran better hope [the ceasefire] remains in effect. The best thing that can happen to them is that we keep it going.”

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “The events in Hormuz make it clear that there is no military solution to a political crisis.

“As talks move forward thanks to Pakistan’s good efforts, the US must be wary of being dragged back into the quagmire by those who wish them ill. The UAE should do the same.

“Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” referring to Trump’s plan to escort foreign ships out of the waterway.

Trump said Tehran had not violated the ceasefire agreement despite the rocket fire

Shown here are shipping vessels anchored in the strait on May 4

The United Arab Emirates issued a missile alert on Monday morning, the first since the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced last month.

The UAE Defense Ministry said it intercepted three missiles, while a fourth “fell into the sea.” An official noted that the country’s air defenses are “currently dealing with missile attacks and incoming drones from Iran.”

Trump said the US had “shot down seven small boats” during the latest skirmish, but said only a South Korean ship had suffered damage.

“Maybe it’s time for South Korea to join the mission!” the president suggested on Truth Social.

Tehran’s decision to launch these attacks officially resumes hostilities between Iran and the US in the Middle East.

Project Freedom was launched on Monday in hopes of diverting tankers through the Strait where hundreds have been stuck since the war against Iran began on February 28.

Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by warning that any ship violating the regime’s maritime rules would be stopped by force.

The U.S. Central Command later confirmed that the Navy would help commercial ships transit the Strait of Hormuz under an operation called “Project Freedom,” advising them on how to avoid mines and protect them from Iranian attacks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, pictured center, warned that the US should not be dragged into a quagmire

Uncertainty over control of the strait comes after two U.S.-flagged ships successfully transited the waterway, the U.S. military said Monday.

The closure of the strait has pushed gas prices to some of their highest levels since 2022, averaging $4.40 per gallon, up 30 cents in a week.

‘Project Freedom’ will reportedly include a large number of guided missile destroyers, drones, more than 100 land and sea aircraft and the infantry support of 15,000 troops, CENTCOM announced.

Another US official told Axios that military officers have been authorized to issue immediate threats to naval assets, including Iran’s speedboats.

Iran has managed to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz in recent months through a combination of small attack boats, drones and naval mines laid in the narrow waterway.

U.S. forces have also established an “enhanced security zone” that advises oil vessels from crossing the waterway through Omani waters.

However, ship traffic is still at a standstill, with most ships passing through Hormuz using Iran’s traffic separation scheme rather than Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ corridor closer to Oman.

Trump announced that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine will hold a news conference Tuesday morning.