The United States military has executed a series of strikes on Iranian targets following President Donald Trump’s accusation that Tehran committed a “foolish violation” of their existing truce. This military action came after a drone attack targeted a cargo ship in the critical Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, an incident that forced a suspension of a planned evacuation for thousands of sailors stranded in the region.
US Central Command, or Centcom, confirmed that the strikes on Friday targeted missile and drone storage facilities along with coastal radar positions. Officials described the military response as a “powerful” reaction to the drone strike, noting that the “unwarranted aggression” against commercial shipping clearly breached the ceasefire agreement and threatened the freedom of international trade.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned what it labeled the “treaty-breaking US regime.” The organization claimed the US carried out airstrikes under false pretenses regarding ship routes and stated that its navy retaliated by hitting US military positions in the region, though no specific details were disclosed. The IRGC warned that any further aggression from the US would result in a more extensive response.
The diplomatic situation remains tense, as the two nations had previously agreed on 17 June to a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days. Vice-President JD Vance noted on social media that violence would be met with violence, while Ebrahim Azizi, an Iranian parliamentary official, criticized the US for attacking during active negotiations.
President Trump, speaking at the White House on Friday, declined to elaborate on potential future responses but expressed frustration over the drone attack, stating that Iran should not be taking such actions. This comes after recent US claims that negotiations over the management of the strait were progressing positively.
The vessel involved in Thursday’s incident was the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, which reported being struck by a projectile approximately 7.5 nautical miles south-east of Oman’s port of Dahit. The ship’s owner, Evergreen, confirmed that the crew and vessel remained safe, though the incident prompted the UN’s International Maritime Organization to pause the planned evacuation of over 11,000 sailors currently stuck in the shipping lane.
