Iran says U.S. has "crossed the point of no return" after exchange of fire in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian officials say the U.S. has "crossed the point of no return," blasting American strikes on ports in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday as a violation of the ceasefire that President Trump insists is still in effect.

In a statement released Thursday night, Iran's central military command, the Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters, claimed the U.S. targeted an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel near the strait, prompting Iranian forces to return fire on U.S. warships.

"In a simultaneous attack" the U.S. launched air raids "targeting civilian areas" in cooperation with regional allies on ports in Khamir, Sirik as well as Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials, including President Trump, said Iran fired first at three U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the strait on Thursday, prompting "self-defense strikes" against military assets at Iranian ports.

Iran claimed its attacks on the ships caused "severe and substantial damage," though President Trump said none were damaged in the exchange of fire. 

Brigadier General Ebrahim Zulfuqari, a spokesman for the Al-Anbiya headquarters, said in a social media post Thursday that the U.S. had "crossed the point of no return, and the response will be commensurate with the crime and more."