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Trump keeps deal hopes alive as US and Iran trade fire again

The US and Iran exchanged fire again on Thursday, testing a fragile ceasefire even as Tehran reviewed a peace proposal that could end the war.

By Sarwesh Sri Bardhan

May 08, 2026 19:29 IST

The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Thursday in the most serious test yet of their month-old ceasefire, even as Tehran reviewed a U.S. peace proposal that could formally end the war.

“They trifled with us today,” Trump said Thursday after the latest exchange of fire, adding, “We blew them away.”

He also stated that a deal with Iran "might not happen, but it could happen any day," as Washington and Tehran attempted to maintain diplomatic talks despite the renewed violence in the Gulf.

Iran was reviewing a US proposal that sources said could formally end the war through a one-page memorandum while leaving major issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, to later negotiations.

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Trump downplays the clash

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U.S. President Donald Trump said the sides were still talking and played down the latest clash.

“We’re negotiating with the Iranians,” he said, while also telling reporters that a deal “could happen any day.” He added, “They trifled with us today. We blew them away" after describing the ceasefire as still intact.

Iran, meanwhile, said it had not yet reached a conclusion about the emerging plan.

The sea route stays volatile as crews, cargo and governments wait

The diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of continued maritime risk.

Reuters reported that a CMA CGM container ship was attacked while transiting the strait, injuring crew members and damaging the vessel, while another ship from the same group later exited the Gulf.

Since the war began, the International Maritime Organization has reported strikes on 32 vessels.

The human cost is also mounting. About 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf, with some crews unable to leave because of unpaid wages or blocked evacuation routes.

Iran has separately said it set up a new mechanism to manage vessel transit through Hormuz and warned commercial ships to coordinate passage with its military.

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