The United States has conducted retaliatory strikes against Iran following a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military carried out airstrikes targeting Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites, as confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM characterized the strikes as a robust response to the incident on Thursday, which President Donald Trump had labeled a breach of the ceasefire agreement. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that a cargo ship was hit by an unidentified projectile near Oman’s port of Dahit, with no injuries reported.
According to CENTCOM, Iranian forces used a one-way attack drone to target the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel. The military stated that Iran’s actions violated the ceasefire and jeopardized freedom of navigation in the crucial trade route.
The owner of the Ever Lovely, Evergreen, stated that the ship was following the recommended route suggested by UKMTO when it was attacked. All crew members and cargo remained unharmed.
The strikes took place shortly after President Trump hinted at a potential response to the drone attack. In a social media post, Trump accused Iran of launching drones at passing ships, calling it a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed a swift and decisive response to the US strikes at a time and place of their choosing. Iranian state television reported that two missiles struck a telecommunications tower in the Sirik area near the Strait of Hormuz.