Tehran has accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and retaliated against US military vessels

The US military has launched a wave of strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran claiming it retaliated against American warships in the area.

President Donald Trump described the latest US strikes as "just a love tap," insisting in a phone call with ABC News that the April 7 ceasefire remains in effect.

US Central Command said it targeted Iranian launch sites, command-and-control locations, and surveillance nodes in "self-defense," following an "unprovoked" missile, drone, and small-boat attack on the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason.

A senior US official told Fox News that American forces struck Iran's Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas, as well as the Bandar Kargan naval checkpoint in Minab.

Tehran accused the US of violating the ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker moving inside its territorial waters. Iran's Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya also accused Washington of coordinating with "some regional countries" to strike civilian areas along the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island.

The IRGC Navy claimed that three US warships fled the Strait of Hormuz at high speed after suffering "significant damage." CENTCOM, however, has insisted that no US assets were hit.

Iranian state media, meanwhile, reported that air defenses had been activated in western Tehran to counter "hostile targets." An RT crew in the Iranian capital confirmed hearing air-defense activity and filmed flashes in the sky.

Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates

(RT.com)