The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran showed new signs of strain on Tuesday amid reports of fresh Iranian missile attacks and continuing naval confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz. Even as President Donald Trump and senior American officials maintained that the truce remained intact, events across the region suggested a precarious situation.

Late on Tuesday,President Trump also announceda temporary stop to the US operations in the Strait of Hormuz, dubbed "Project Freedom". "Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The latest tensions were fueled by reports that Iran had launched a new barrage of missiles toward the United Arab Emirates, marking the second such attack in 48 hours. Authorities said their air defense systems were intercepting incoming threats, though it remained unclear whether any caused damage.

The strikes came as American naval forces pressed ahead with efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the escalation, Trump struck a confident tone, describing the situation as firmly under American control. "We have a situation where we have total control. As you know, the blockade's been amazing; it's like a piece of steel. Nobody's going to challenge the blockade, and I think it's working out very well," he said.

Even as Trump downplayed the violence, US officials acknowledged that Iranian forces had fired on American ships multiple times since the ceasefire began on April 8. Trump characterised those incidents as minor and declined to define what would constitute a breach of the truce.

At the center of the standoff is the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied gas flows. Since the outbreak of hostilities, traffic has come to a near standstill.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had secured control of the passage. "We're ensuring that we have control of that strait, which we do," he said, adding that the operation was temporary and defensive in nature. "We're not looking for a fight."

But Iranian officials and state media have rejected those assertions, claiming instead that Tehran's grip over the waterway has "intensified." Conflicting narratives have left the true balance of control uncertain, even as both sides seek to project strength.

A cargoship in the Gulf was also struckby a suspected land-attack cruise missile, injuring several crew members, according to two US officials. The vessel, identified as the CGM San Antonio and owned by a French company, was hit late on Tuesday local time, the officials toldCBS News.Since Sunday, three other cases involving commercial vessels, including a fire on board one ship, a separate projectile strike, and an alleged attack by small craft have been reported.

Before the conflict, around 130 vessels a day passed through the strait. In recent days, only a handful have attempted the journey — two under US protection on Monday, with none confirmed on Tuesday.

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now