U.S. Central Command confirmed on June 26 that American forces executed a series of strikes against Iranian targets, characterizing the military action as a robust response to Tehran’s offensive against a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz the previous day. The operation involved U.S. aircraft targeting coastal radar installations alongside drone and missile storage facilities.
The strikes were launched following an Iranian drone assault on June 25 that targeted the M/V Ever Lovely, a cargo ship registered in Singapore. President Donald Trump, who described the incident as a clear breach of the ceasefire conditions established for ongoing peace negotiations, had signaled that a response was imminent. Less than two hours prior to the U.S. military action, Trump hinted at a retaliation while speaking with reporters.
According to the President, Iran launched at least four attack drones, three of which were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces. While the fourth drone managed to strike the cargo vessel, the ship sustained only minor damage and was able to continue its journey. Trump expressed his frustration over the event on social media, labeling the action a foolish violation of the ceasefire agreement. During an earlier appearance at the Oval Office, he noted that although the targeted vessel was not an allied ship, it was an expensive one that should not have been attacked.
In the aftermath of the U.S. strikes, Iranian state media reported that a projectile had impacted near a pier located in Sirik, southern Iran. Following this, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement via state television, vowing that their reaction to the latest U.S. aggression would be swift and decisive.
This escalation occurs against the backdrop of a broader conflict that began on February 28 with a joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and significant global economic disruption. While a ceasefire had been largely in place since April, recent efforts by officials like Vice President JD Vance to secure a comprehensive peace deal have seen minimal progress. Just last week, on June 18, President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a pact intended to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and initiate two months of diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. sanctions.
Tensions remain high following a joint statement from the U.S. and six other nations that rejected the imposition of tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz—a measure championed by Trump on June 24. Defending Iran’s position, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on June 26 that safe passage cannot be guaranteed without considering Iran’s role as a coastal state and criticized what he termed as ambiguous international decision-making.
