Agencies | Washington/Tehran:
The United States military on Friday carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations, following Tehran’s alleged attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM described the operation as “a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that Iran’s actions constituted an “unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping” and a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
According to Axios, the strikes marked the first direct US military action since Washington and Tehran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which established a temporary 60-day ceasefire framework. Under the agreement, Iran committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping without transit charges, while the United States agreed to lift its naval blockade and begin a 60-day round of nuclear negotiations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported hearing multiple explosions near the southern Iranian town of Sirik, close to the Strait of Hormuz.
Reacting to the strikes, Iranian MP Ebrahim Azizi accused Washington of violating the ceasefire, writing on X: “The US attacked Iran in the middle of negotiations once again. This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part.”
Iran Warns of ‘Harsh Response’
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s joint operational command coordinating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular army, warned that Tehran’s response would be unprecedented.
Its military spokesperson, Ibrahim al-Fiqar, said Iran would determine the “appropriate time and place” for retaliation.
“We affirm that this aggression will not go unanswered,” Al-Fiqar said in a series of posts on X. “Any further act of folly will be met with a harsh response that will shatter the illusions of the aggressors in the region.”
In another post, he added that Iran’s response to the US attack would be “swift and decisive.”
Iran Claims Retaliatory Strike
Shortly after issuing the warning, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched retaliatory attacks against US military positions in the region.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said the operation was in response to the latest US strikes but did not specify the locations of the targeted American military facilities or provide operational details.
Trump Signals Consequences
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump hinted at possible military action after the alleged Iranian attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
“You’ll find out,” Trump said when asked whether Iran would face consequences. “I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday—actually, four. We knocked down three. A very expensive ship took a little beating. They shouldn’t be doing that.”
Following Iran’s reported retaliatory attack, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had upheld its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
“Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MoU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence,” Vance said.
Trump Alleges Ceasefire Breach
Trump accused Iran of violating the preliminary ceasefire by launching multiple one-way attack drones at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Trump, one drone struck the upper deck of a cargo ship, causing damage but allowing the vessel to continue its voyage, while US forces intercepted three others.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four one-way attack drones at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One of the drones hit the upper deck of a large cargo ship. Damage was done, but the ship was able to proceed. We knocked down three other drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement,” Trump wrote.
Cargo Ship Attacked in Strait of Hormuz
Trump’s remarks followed reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly fired at the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime trade corridors.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was struck on its starboard side by a projectile approximately 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman’s Port of Dahit. The projectile reportedly hit the ship’s bridge, causing damage but no injuries to the crew.
The incident occurred hours after Iran’s paramilitary navy warned ships against transiting the Strait without Tehran’s authorisation.
Separately, the United Nations’ shipping agency temporarily suspended an evacuation operation designed to help hundreds of stranded vessels and thousands of seafarers safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz following the attack.
Located between Iran and Oman, the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, handling nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas exports.
