The US military on Friday carried out fresh strikes on Iran, hours after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of a 'foolish violation' of the ceasefire agreement following a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The latest military action came after Iran launched four one-way attack drones at commercial vessels in the strategic waterway. One of the drones struck the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely, causing damage but no casualties. The vessel was able to continue its journey along the Omani coast.
Confirming the operation, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites in response to the attack.
In a statement, CENTCOM said: "US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes against Iran, June 26, as a powerful response to yesterday's attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
It added that US aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations after Iran attacked M/V Ever Lovely with a one-way attack drone while the Singapore-flagged vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along Oman's coast.
CENTCOM accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by targeting commercial shipping.
"The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran's dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor," the statement said.
The command added that US forces would continue coordinating safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and remain deployed to ensure the ceasefire agreement is fully observed.
The strikes came shortly after Trump warned Iran of consequences for violating the truce.
Speaking to reporters at the White House when asked whether Iran would face retaliation, Trump said: "You will find out. I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually, four. We knocked down three... A very expensive ship took a little beating. They shouldn't be doing that."
