The fragile ceasefire in West Asia is under severe strain after a wave of military escalations overnight.
The US military confirmed its naval forces came under Iranian missile, drone and fast-boat attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, responding by eliminating inbound threats.
Three US Navy destroyers successfully transited the strait under fire, with President Donald Trump saying American vessels sustained no damage while US forces dealt what he called “great damage” to the attackers.
Washington maintains the ceasefire remains technically in effect as it awaits Tehran’s response to a proposed peace framework.
Iran’s military said US forces targeted an Iranian oil tanker in coastal waters and a second vessel near the UAE’s Fujairah port.
Explosions were also reported near the strategic Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, with Tehran claiming its forces engaged hostile targets. Iranian air defences were activated over Tehran, as per the Iranian state news agency.
Akashvani correspondent reports that the United Arab Emirates moved swiftly to defend its territory early Friday.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority confirmed UAE air defence systems were activated at approximately six-thirty in the morning local time to intercept incoming missile and drone threats.
Separately, Iran’s military reported US strikes hit civilian areas across multiple sites in southern Iran, a claim Washington has not directly addressed.
The competing narratives from both sides reflect the deep mistrust complicating the emerging 14-point peace framework – one that would pause hostilities and open a 30-day window for final negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and Strait of Hormuz transit arrangements.
Despite the overnight violence, both Washington and Tehran have stopped short of formally declaring the ceasefire broken.
Diplomatic channels remain open, with mediators continuing to shuttle proposals between the two sides. Iran’s foreign minister has called for dialogue and diplomacy, and President Trump has described recent exchanges as very good talks, saying a permanent deal remains very possible.
Whether the overnight escalation hardens or accelerates those negotiations remains the central question for the region as Friday unfolds.