The U.S. military struck Iran on Friday after Tehran attacked a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command announced the strike, calling it a “powerful response to yesterday’s attack.” The renewed fighting came after the United States and Iran agreed to engage in peace talks last week.
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“U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone,” CENTCOM said. “The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack.”
“The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,” the U.S. military added. “Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor.”
After the U.S. strike, Vice President JD Vance defended the action online.
“Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it,” he posted on X. “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 concluded.
Earlier Friday, President Donald Trump revealed Iran violated the ceasefire by launching four one-way attack drones against commercial ships in the reopened Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. He said the military shot down three of the attack drones, while the fourth drone hit the ship.
Trump called the attack a “foolish violation” of the two countries’ memorandum of understanding.
The president brought up the topic again with reporters in the Oval Office later.
“I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually four — we knocked down three — at a ship,” he said. “Not an allied ship, but a ship, a very expensive ship, and it was fine, but it took a little beating. They shouldn’t be doing that.”
Trump then indicated the U.S. would respond with force.
“Will I respond?” he asked. “You’re going to find out.” The retaliatory strike was announced shortly thereafter.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN VIOLATED CEASEFIRE WITH DRONE ATTACKS ON CARGO SHIPS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
CENTCOM officials said they will continue to provide safe passage for commercial vessels in the region, adding that U.S. forces will “ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect.”
Friday’s strikes were the first sign of military action since Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the MOU. It remains to be seen how the peace talks proceed from here.
