The US military launched strikes on Iran hours after Trump warned of a “senseless violation” over the Hormuz attack
On Friday, the US military launched new strikes on Iran, hours after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of committing a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement following a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.The latest military action came after Iran launched four attack drones in one direction at commercial ships in the strategic waterway. One of the drones hit the Singapore-flagged freighter M/V Ever Lovely, causing damage but no casualties. The ship was able to continue its journey along the Omani coast.Confirming the operation, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites in response to the attack.US Central Command said in a statement: “US Central Command forces carried out strikes against Iran on June 26, as a strong response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”It added that US aircraft bombed Iranian missile and drone storage sites after Iran attacked M/V Ever Lovely with a one-way attack drone as the Singapore-flagged ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the coast of Oman.
US Central Command accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by targeting commercial shipping.“The unprovoked aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violates the ceasefire. Moreover, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermines freedom of navigation as trade increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor,” the statement said.The command added that US forces will continue to coordinate the safe passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz and will remain deployed to ensure full compliance with the ceasefire agreement.The strikes came shortly after Trump warned Iran of the consequences of violating the truce.Speaking to reporters at the White House when asked if Iran would face retaliation, Trump said: “You’re going to find out. I don’t like the fact that yesterday they fired, actually, four. We shot down three…an expensive ship that took a little hit. They shouldn’t do that.”
Earlier, Trump claimed that Iran launched four attack drones at ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, describing the incident as a ceasefire violation.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that a drone struck the upper deck of a cargo ship while US forces intercepted three other drones. He described the attack as a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement.“The Islamic Republic of Iran launched at least four one-way attack drones on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One of the drones forcefully struck the upper deck of a very large and expensive cargo ship,” Trump said.
This was done, but the ship was able to continue on its way. We shot down three more drones. “This is clearly a foolish violation of the ceasefire agreement.”Read also | ‘Foolish violation of ceasefire agreement’: Trump says Iran struck cargo ship in HormuzThe recent escalation has raised new concerns about the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.The attack comes despite a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities.
Under the agreement, Tehran committed to doing its “utmost” to ensure the safe passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz during a 60-day negotiation period.The memorandum of understanding also established a direct channel of communication between Washington and Tehran to avoid military incidents and reduce the risk of miscalculation while negotiations on a broader peace agreement continue.However, Iranian officials recently emphasized that future administration of the Strait of Hormuz will remain under Tehran’s control, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has insisted that ships passing through the waterway must follow routes approved by Iran. The recent drone attack and subsequent US strikes have created uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
