'Just A Love Tap': Trump Downplays Hormuz Fire Exchange, Says 'US Will Knock Out Iran A Lot Harder’

Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 07:22 IST

Trump stated that the Iranian missiles fired at the ships were "easily knocked down" and the drones were "incinerated while in the air".

US President Donald Trump on Thursday brushed off the Iranian attack on three Navy ships and said that the US Navy destroyers passed through the strait “under fire" and were not damaged. He, however, added that the ceasefire with Iran remains in effect despite the latest exchange of strikes around the Strait.

Describing the recent US retaliatory attacks on Iranian targets as merely a “love tap", Trump downplayed concerns that the truce may be collapsing. He further warned of stronger action against Iran.

“Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire," the US President posted to Truth Social. “There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers," he added.

Trump stated that the missiles fired at the ships were “easily knocked down" and the drones were “incinerated while in the air". He also claimed that small boats involved in the attack were destroyed.

“These boats went to the bottom of the Sea, quickly and efficiently. Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down," the US President said, adding, “Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air. They dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!"

Criticising the Iranian leadership, Trump said that a normal country would have allowed the Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. “We’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!" he added.

Trump’s comments come amid heightened regional tensions following exchanges of fire involving US naval assets and Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route.

According to the US Central Command, the attack came as the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason attempted to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. However, they met with attacks by “multiple missiles, drones and small boats" from the Iranian side.

Meanwhile, reacting to the exchange of fire, Iran’s top joint military command said that the US violated the ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another ship. According to Reuters, the Iranian military added that it will not hesitate to respond forcefully to any attack.

News world 'Just A Love Tap': Trump Downplays Hormuz Fire Exchange, Says 'US Will Knock Out Iran A Lot Harder’

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