Trump Calls Iran Strikes a ‘Love Tap’ as Fragile Ceasefire Holds, Expert Says

President Donald Trump said Thursday that U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets were merely a “love tap,” while confirming that the fragile ceasefire with Iran remains in effect.

U.S. Central Command reported that American forces launched self-defense strikes after three Navy destroyers came under missile and drone fire from Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. The destroyers were not struck.

The U.S. targeted three Iranian ports along the strategic waterway.

Dr. Asaf Romirowsky, executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, said the U.S. response was legally justified as self-defense against Iranian aggression.

“From a legal standpoint, this is exactly a good role for us to be in,” Romirowsky said. “The fact that the Iranians are attacking us and we’re in self-defense mode.”

He described a two-part United States strategy involving economic warfare and military action, noting that the closure of the straits is costing Iran approximately $435 million per day.

“Iran is bleeding. Iran is hurting from the economic standpoint,” Romirowsky said. The Iranian rial has tanked, he added, and the country of over 93 million people faces severe infrastructure challenges during wartime.

Romirowsky expressed skepticism about whether Iran would uphold any ceasefire agreement, calling deception “part of their DNA.” He noted that Iran continues to receive support from its two major patrons, Russia and China, including drones and other armaments.

Regarding Iran’s leadership, Romirowsky said the supreme leader’s son, who was appointed to succeed his father, is “definitely a hardliner” and “probably even more trying to solidify his role.” He noted that the new leader has not been seen in person, with rumors suggesting he suffered injuries, and that messages are being delivered through intermediaries.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz has laid out international demands for Iran, including ceasing attacks on commercial shipping, ending mining of international waterways, removing mines, stopping illegal toll collections in the Strait of Hormuz, and allowing humanitarian aid to pass through.

“This is a war that Iran started,” Romirowsky said, adding that the regime’s brutality toward its own people—including alleged executions of thousands—should be showcased to the world.

He concluded that the larger challenge remains “how do you free Iran from the regime,” warning that without removing the current ideology, “we’re going to be back in this kind of situation again and again.”