The United States military launched strikes against Iranian positions on Friday, targeting missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites. The action came a day after a drone attack on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which President Donald Trump called a 'foolish violation' of the existing truce.
US Central Command confirmed the strikes were a direct response to Thursday's drone attack that disrupted plans to evacuate sailors stranded in the region. Tehran countered that the cargo ship was using an unauthorised route through the Gulf waterway.
Iran retaliated by striking targets it linked to American forces, accusing Washington of breaking the interim deal. 'The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,' Centcom said in a statement, adding that the US military would continue to coordinate safe passage for commercial vessels transiting the strait.
Bahrain's foreign ministry reported that 'several Iranian drones' attacked the country early Saturday, calling it a 'flagrant violation' of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging its bridge but causing no casualties or environmental harm.
The strait had been effectively closed by Tehran after US and Israeli attacks began in late February, spiking global oil prices and disrupting shipments of fertiliser and other commodities. The US and Iran agreed on June 17 to a 14-point memorandum of understanding that called for Iran to ensure safe passage of commercial vessels for 60 days.
Vice-President JD Vance warned on X that 'violence will be met with violence.' But Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, accused the US of attacking 'in the middle of negotiations once again,' predicting that 'this reckless violation of the ceasefire will lead to retreat and regret on their part.'
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📰 Source: BBC World