US strikes Iran after drone attack on ship threatens Strait of Hormuz ceasefire
U.S. Central Command said aircraft struck missile and drone storage sites and radar installations in Iran on Friday, hours after President Trump called a drone hit on a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel a violation of the week-old truce.
Retaliatory strikes
The U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure on Friday, 26 June, after Tehran launched a one-way attack drone at a commercial vessel the previous day. U.S. Central Command said aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor.
The strikes, described as a "powerful response", came hours after President Donald Trump warned that the drone attack was a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire agreement signed last week.
The ship attack
On Thursday, a drone struck the Singapore-flagged cargo ship "Ever Lovely" as it exited the strait along Oman's coast. No injuries were reported and the vessel was able to continue its journey. The attack prompted a planned evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the region, the BBC reported.
I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday. They shouldn't be doing that. You'll find out.
Iran did not acknowledge responsibility for the ship strike, but state media said three foreign tankers attempting an "unauthorised passage" were turned back by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Fragile truce
The violence is the first direct clash since the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on 19 June that declared an end to the war. The 60-day truce was meant to allow technical negotiations on implementation, yet each side has since accused the other of violating its spirit.
Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed under ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes or decision-making that does not take Iran's role as a coastal state into account.
The U.S. strikes have now placed that fragile accord under strain, with analysts questioning whether the diplomatic track can survive renewed military action.
Iran's warnings and other incidents
Hours before the U.S. retaliation, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister warned Gulf states against siding with Washington and insisted that any transit framework must involve Tehran. Iranian state television claimed the IRGC had already turned back tankers. A U.S. official said Washington was looking into those reports.
Separately, Saudi Aramco resumed crude loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal, the world's largest oil port, after a nearly four-month suspension, shipping data showed.
Broader regional moves
Amid the Strait of Hormuz confrontation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a tripartite agreement with Israel and Lebanon for Israeli troops to withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon, following five rounds of U.S.-led talks in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "great achievement" that would allow Israel to continue most of its occupation, while Hezbollah, backed by Iran, denounced it as capitulation and said it would not cooperate.
Oil markets reflected the conflicting signals. International benchmark Brent crude fell about 3% over the course of the week, but ticked 1% higher to $73.50 a barrel on Friday after the U.S. strikes.
- Iranian one-way attack drone hits Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Ever Lovely near Oman’s coast; no casualties.
- U.S. military aircraft strike Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites in retaliation.
