US airstrikes on Iran after Trump says ceasefire violated in Strait of Hormuz

The US military has carried out airstrikes on Iranian drone and missile storage facilities and coastal radar positions

The US has launched retaliatory strikes against Iran following a drone attack on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces carried out airstrikes targeting Iranian drone and missile storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations on Friday, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM described the strikes as a “powerful response” to Thursday’s attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz – which Donald Trump had earlier called a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that a cargo ship was struck 7.5 nautical miles south-east of Oman’s port of Dahit by “an unknown projectile” on Thursday. No casualties were reported.

CENTCOM confirmed that Iranian forces targeted the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel, using a one-way attack drone, reports the Mirror.

“The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,” CENTCOM said.

“Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned its response to the US strikes would be “swift and decisive, at the time and place we choose”, according to Iranian state television.

The IRGC also claimed to have repelled a US assault on Sirik Island, situated along the shores of the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes followed shortly after Trump told reporters at the White House: “You’ll find out,” when questioned about whether the US would respond to the drone attack.

“I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday. They shouldn’t be doing that,” he added.

In an earlier post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump accused Iran of launching at least four drones at passing ships, with one striking the vessel.

“Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” he wrote.

The Ever Lovely’s owner, Evergreen, confirmed the vessel had been travelling along the UKMTO’s recommended route through the strait at the time it was struck.

“All crew members remain safe as does the vessel itself and all cargo,” it added.