US-Iran ceasefire still holding despite attacks - Trump

(Sharecast News) - Washington has insisted that the ceasefire between the US and Iran was holding, despite the two countries exchanging fire in the Strait of Hormuz.

Donald Trump said three US Navy destroyers had been attacked as they moved through the narrow waterway, but that they had not been damaged. Instead, he claimed "great damage" had been done to the "Iranian attackers".

But he also insisted the ceasefire remained in effect and dismissed the attacks as a "love tap". He said: "They trifled with us today. We blew them away."

An Iranian spokesman contradicted the US, saying "significant damage" had been inflicted. The country's media later reported that after several hours of fire, however, the situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz was "back to normal".

Both sides accused each other of firing first.

The fragile ceasefire was extended on 21 April. Washington is now waiting for Tehran to respond to its latest proposal for a permanent peace deal. Trump told reporters that negotiations were ongoing. "The talks are going very well, but they have to understand if it doesn't get signed, they're going to have a lot of pain. I believe they want the deal more than I do."

Iran said earlier this week that it was studying the proposal, which is intended to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies are normally transported through the strait.

Brent crude ticked back above $100 in Friday trading, up nearly 1% at $100.51 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate was largely unchanged at $94.98.