U.S. launches strikes on Iran after reported drone attack on commercial ship

International

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — The United States has launched military strikes against targets in Iran in response to what it described as a drone attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement on Friday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces carried out strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar sites, following the June 25 attack on the M/V Ever Lovely.

According to CENTCOM, the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast when it was struck by a one-way attack drone allegedly launched by Iran.

The U.S. military described the attack as an “unwarranted aggression” against commercial shipping, saying it violated the ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran and undermined freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

CENTCOM said its forces would continue to coordinate and support the safe passage of commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and remain in full force and effect,” the statement said.

The military action follows allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran breached the ceasefire agreement by launching four one-way attack drones at commercial ships in the strategic waterway.

The accusation came after Iran rejected a new shipping corridor proposed by Oman to facilitate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran had warned that vessels using the alternative route, rather than the channel it recognises, could be targeted.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed one of the drones struck the upper deck of a cargo vessel, while U.S. forces intercepted the remaining three.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive cargo-carrying ship. Damage was done, but the ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” Trump wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, Iranian authorities had not publicly responded to the U.S. strikes or CENTCOM’s allegations.