Trump describes strikes on Iran targets as “love tap”

US President Donald Trump has described recent U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iran-linked targets as a “love tap,” in a phone call with ABC correspondent Rachel Scott, amid renewed tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

“President Trump tells me in a phone call the retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets are just a ‘love tap.’ ‘It's just a love tap.’ When I asked if it means the ceasefire is over. ‘No, no, the ceasefire is going. It's in effect.’” Scott wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

President Trump tells me in a phone call the retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets are just a "love tap."

"It's just a love tap."

When I asked if it means the ceasefire is over.

"No, no, the ceasefire is going. It's in effect."

— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) May 7, 2026

The remarks come during a period of sporadic clashes between Iranian forces and U.S. naval assets near the Strait of Hormuz on May 8, one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints.

According to the U.S. military, American forces struck two Iran-linked vessels that were attempting to enter an Iranian port. Officials said a U.S. fighter jet targeted the ships’ smokestacks, preventing them from reaching their destination.

Separately, the United Arab Emirates reported that its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones launched from Iran.

In another incident the same day, Iranian forces reportedly seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, east of the Strait of Hormuz, over what Iranian state media described as an attempt to disrupt the country’s oil exports.

The latest developments mark some of the most serious escalations in the region since a fragile ceasefire began. However, on May 7, Trump said the ceasefire was holding, while Iran has accused the United States of violating it.

On May 4, the U.S. military said it destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted missiles and drones, alleging Tehran was attempting to disrupt U.S. naval operations aimed at keeping shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz open.

By Sabina Mammadli