08 May,2026 10:41 AM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondent
Mohammad Reza Aref. Pic/AFP
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has claimed that Iran will soon celebrate a "great victory" in its confrontation with the United States and Israel, amid escalating tensions and continued military activity in the Gulf region, reported ANI.
According to Iranian state media, Aref expressed confidence that Iran would overcome the economic and diplomatic pressure imposed by Western countries in recent years. He stated that sanctions and external restrictions on the Iranian nation would eventually be lifted following what he described as a major national victory, reported ANI.
His remarks reflected Tehran's increasingly defiant stance as tensions with the United States continue despite ongoing diplomatic engagement and ceasefire discussions.
The comments came as Iranian and US forces reportedly exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Tehran has accused Washington of violating the existing ceasefire through military actions targeting Iranian assets, while US officials have insisted that the truce remains in effect.
The situation has further heightened concerns over stability in the Gulf region, where naval deployments and military operations continue near critical shipping lanes.
US President Donald Trump also issued a strong warning to Iran, stating that the US would respond with greater force if a formal agreement is not reached. During an interview with ABC News, Trump maintained that the ceasefire remained operational despite recent military incidents.
The US President downplayed the latest strikes by describing them as limited retaliatory actions and insisted that the broader de-escalation process had not collapsed.
Trump earlier stated on Truth Social that three American destroyers had successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz despite coming under Iranian fire. According to Trump, Iranian naval vessels involved in the confrontation were destroyed, while incoming missiles and drones targeting US assets were intercepted.
The claims could not be independently verified, and Iranian authorities have continued to accuse Washington of provoking instability in the region.
Meanwhile, reports citing senior US officials claimed that American forces carried out strikes near Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas following reports of explosions in strategically important maritime zones.
According to the reports, US officials stressed that the operations were limited in scope and should not be interpreted as the start of a wider war or the collapse of ceasefire efforts.
The continuing confrontation between Iran and the United States around the Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for global trade and energy markets. The waterway is one of the world's most important oil transit routes, and any disruption in the region carries significant geopolitical and economic implications.
While both sides continue to exchange accusations and warnings, diplomatic channels appear to remain open, with international attention focused on whether negotiations can prevent a broader regional conflict.
(With inputs from ANI)
