The United States military on Friday carried out strikes against Iran, targeting missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites, after Tehran’s alleged attack on a commercial vessel
transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from US Central Command.
“The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,” said the US Central Command on X, describing the strikes as “a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
According to Axios, the US military carried out strikes in the area of the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, marking the first such operation since Washington and Tehran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU established a temporary ceasefire framework under which Iran agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping without transit charges for 60 days, while the US agreed to lift its naval blockade and begin a 60-day period of nuclear talks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that more than three consecutive explosions were heard near Sirik in southern Iran, in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz.
‘You’ll Find Out’: Trump Hints At US Response
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington could respond after an alleged Iranian attack on a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “you’ll find out” when asked whether Tehran would face consequences.
‘Foolish Violation’
Trump alleged that Iran had breached the preliminary ceasefire understanding between Washington and Tehran, describing the reported attack as a “foolish violation” of the agreement.
Also Read: ‘Foolish Violation’: Trump Says US Shot Down 3 Iranian Drones Near Hormuz After Ship Attack
According to Trump, Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones at commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway, with one of the drones hitting the upper deck of a cargo ship. He said the vessel was damaged but was able to continue its voyage.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” Trump wrote.
Iran Fires Projectile At Cargo Ship
Trump’s comments came a day after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly fired at a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Ever Lovely, while it was transiting in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over security in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Also Read: Iran Fired Projectile At Cargo Ship Passing Through Strait Of Hormuz: US Officials
The British maritime security agency UKMTO said the vessel reported being hit on its starboard side by a projectile while sailing about 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit. The UKMTO said the projectile struck the vessel’s bridge, causing damage but no injuries among the crew.
The incident came hours after Iran’s paramilitary navy cautioned ships against using transit routes through the strait without Tehran’s authorisation.
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ shipping agency has temporarily suspended an evacuation operation aimed at helping hundreds of stranded vessels and thousands of seafarers safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz after the ship came under attack in the Gulf of Oman.
Situated between Iran and Oman, the Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and serves as a vital passage for global energy supplies, carrying nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports.
With inputs from Reuters, AFP
