The United States has launched retaliatory airstrikes on Iranian military targets after a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the fragile ceasefire between both countries to the brink and raising fresh fears of a wider regional conflict.
According to BBC News, President Donald Trump ordered the strikes after describing the attack on the commercial vessel as a “foolish violation” of the truce. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday’s operation targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar positions.
The strikes followed Thursday’s drone attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely, an incident that disrupted plans to evacuate thousands of sailors stranded in the region. Iran claimed the vessel was using an unauthorised route through the strategic Gulf waterway.
CENTCOM described the operation as “a powerful response,” accusing Iran of violating the ceasefire and threatening freedom of navigation in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors. The command also pledged continued protection and safe passage for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), however, condemned the US action, accusing Washington of breaching the truce. The IRGC claimed its forces retaliated by striking US military positions in the region, although no details were provided, warning that any further aggression would trigger a stronger response.
The latest exchange has heightened concerns over the stability of the Middle East. Tehran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz following earlier US and Israeli attacks, disrupting global oil and gas shipments, driving up energy prices and affecting the movement of other critical commodities.
The United States and Iran had only recently agreed to end hostilities under a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, which required Iran to ensure toll-free and safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days.
Reacting to the strikes, Vice President JD Vance said any disagreements over the agreement should be resolved through dialogue, warning that “violence will be met with violence.”
Iranian officials, however, accused Washington of attacking the country while negotiations were still ongoing. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, described the strikes as another violation of the ceasefire and warned the US would regret its actions.
Speaking at the White House, President Trump defended the military response, insisting Iran “shouldn’t be doing that” after the cargo ship attack. He also reiterated that negotiations would end immediately if Tehran failed to honour its commitment to allow toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The attack on the Ever Lovely, which was sailing along the route recommended by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), has intensified concerns over the security of one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, with analysts warning that renewed hostilities could have far-reaching consequences for global trade, energy markets and regional stability.
