U.S. and Iran trade fire in Strait of Hormuz; each claims other shot first
Source: CNBC
The United States and Iran exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides accusing the other of firing first. The incident has further strained a fragile ceasefire agreement between the two nations, which had already been weakened by repeated accusations of violations. The strait is one of the world's most critical oil-shipping routes, making the confrontation significant not only militarily but also for global energy markets.
President Donald Trump downplayed the severity of the exchange, describing the strikes as 'just a love tap' in a call with an ABC News reporter. On his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that U.S. forces had 'completely destroyed' the Iranian assets involved, including small boats and drones. He used vivid, theatrical language to describe the destruction, comparing fallen drones to 'a butterfly dropping to its grave,' drawing widespread attention to his characteristically unconventional communication style.
Trump also issued a stark warning to Tehran, threatening far more severe military action if Iran does not agree to a nuclear deal quickly. U.S. Central Command confirmed that three Navy destroyers transiting the strait were targeted by Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats, but stated that no U.S. assets were struck. CENTCOM said its forces responded with self-defense strikes against Iranian military facilities, including missile launch sites and command and control locations.
Iran, in contrast, accused the United States of breaking the ceasefire by striking an Iranian tanker moving through the strait. Iranian military officials stated their forces retaliated immediately, claiming to have caused significant damage to U.S. vessels east of the strait. The conflicting accounts from both governments highlight deep mutual distrust and the volatile nature of the current ceasefire, which began on April 8 as a temporary two-week truce before being unilaterally extended by Trump.
The military clash occurred at a particularly sensitive diplomatic moment, as Iran was reportedly reviewing a U.S. proposal designed to end the broader conflict and open the door to nuclear negotiations. CENTCOM's official statement made no reference to the ceasefire, reflecting the ambiguous status of the agreement. The White House directed media inquiries to CENTCOM, offering no independent commentary on how the incident might affect the fragile peace process going forward.
Japanese translation
米国とイランがホルムズ海峡で交戦し、双方が相手側が先に発砲したと主張している。この衝突は、すでに繰り返される違反疑惑で傷ついていた両国の脆弱な停戦合意をさらに危うくした。同海峡は世界有数の石油輸送路であり、この対立は軍事的のみならずエネルギー市場にとっても重大な意味を持つ。
トランプ大統領はABCニュースの記者との電話で今回の交戦を「軽いひと触れ」に過ぎないと矮小化した。自身のSNS「トゥルース・ソーシャル」では、米軍がイラン側の小型船やドローンを「完全に破壊した」と主張。撃墜されたドローンを「墓場に落ちる蝶のように美しく海に沈んだ」と表現し、独特の言語センスで注目を集めた。
トランプ氏はイランへの警告も発し、核合意に速やかに応じなければより激しい軍事行動を取ると脅した。米中央軍は、海峡を通過中の駆逐艦3隻がミサイルやドローン、小型船による攻撃を受けたが被害はなかったと発表。反撃としてミサイル発射施設や指揮統制拠点などイランの軍事施設を攻撃したと説明した。
一方イランは、米軍が停戦を破ってイランのタンカーを攻撃したと非難。イラン軍は直ちに報復し、海峡東方の米艦艇に「甚大な損害」を与えたと主張した。両国の説明が真っ向から対立する状況は、4月8日に始まりトランプ氏が一方的に延長した停戦合意への深い相互不信と不安定さを浮き彫りにしている。
この軍事衝突は、イランが紛争終結と核交渉再開に向けた米国の提案を検討中という外交的に微妙な時期に発生した。米中央軍の声明は停戦には一切言及せず、合意の曖昧な状況を反映している。ホワイトハウスはメディアの問い合わせを中央軍に差し向け、和平プロセスへの影響については独自のコメントを避けた。
Key vocabulary
- ceasefirenoun
A temporary agreement between warring parties to stop fighting, often as a step toward a longer peace deal.
和訳: 停戦（協定）
The two nations agreed to a ceasefire after months of intense negotiations brokered by international mediators.
- imperilverb
To put something in danger of being harmed, destroyed, or failing.
和訳: 危険にさらす
Reckless spending imperils the country's long-term economic stability.
- chokepointnoun
A narrow, strategically critical passage through which traffic or supplies must pass, making it easy to block or control.
和訳: 要衝、チョークポイント
The narrow canal has long been considered a vital chokepoint for international maritime trade.
- unprovokedadjective
Describing an attack or hostile act carried out without any prior justification or preceding aggression from the other side.
和訳: 挑発なしの、一方的な
The ambassador condemned the unprovoked assault on the border village as a clear act of aggression.
