The US military has launched strikes on Iranian targets following allegations from President Donald Trump that Iran committed a “foolish violation” of an ongoing ceasefire. This development occurred after a commercial cargo ship was struck by a one-way attack drone on Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz. Although there were no reported casualties, the incident forced the suspension of a planned evacuation involving thousands of sailors stranded in the area.
US Central Command confirmed on Friday that it carried out strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar sites. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) placed the blame on the US and Israel. Prior to the announcement of the strikes, President Trump had hinted at a retaliatory move when asked about the drone incident, telling reporters, “you’ll see.”
Centcom described the strikes as a “powerful response” to the drone attack, stating that the “unwarranted aggression” clearly violated the established ceasefire and threatened the freedom of navigation through the vital maritime corridor. The US military has committed to continuing its support for safe passage for commercial vessels in the strait, though it remains unclear if these strikes are isolated or part of a larger campaign.
The IRGC issued a statement criticizing the US as a “treaty-breaking regime” and warned that future acts of aggression would trigger a more extensive response. Furthermore, the IRGC accused Israel of violating a separate ceasefire in Lebanon, where limited combat between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has persisted. These tensions coincide with the aftermath of the strait’s closure since February, which previously caused global spikes in oil prices and disrupted the shipment of essential commodities like fertilizer.
Earlier, on 17 June, the US and Iran had signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding to halt hostilities and provide safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days. Following the US strikes, Vice-President JD Vance commented on social media that violence would be met with violence. Conversely, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, accused the US of attacking during active negotiations and warned that this move would lead to regret for the American side.
President Trump maintained that negotiations were previously progressing well, noting that Iran had earlier signaled an end to tolling requirements for vessels. However, negotiations remain fragile as international maritime authorities closely monitor the situation. The vessel involved in the Thursday attack was the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, which was hit 7.5 nautical miles south-east of Oman’s port of Dahit while following recommended transit routes. The ship’s operator, Evergreen, confirmed that the vessel, cargo, and crew remain safe. In light of the renewed violence, the UN’s International Maritime Organization has halted its planned evacuation of over 11,000 sailors stranded in the region.
