US launches airstikes on Iran after Trump calls Hormuz drone attack ‘ceasefire violation’

The US military has carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites, after Iranian forces struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz

The US claims it has launched strikes against Iran in response to a drone assault on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

American forces conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian missile and drone storage facilities along with coastal radar installations on Friday, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM characterised the strikes as a “powerful response” to Thursday’s assault on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz – which Donald Trump had previously branded a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

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

CENTCOM stated 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.”

The Ever Lovely’s operator, Evergreen, confirmed the vessel had been adhering to the UKMTO’s recommended passage through the strait when it came under attack.

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

The military action followed Trump’s remarks to journalists at the White House: “You’ll find out,” when questioned about whether the US would retaliate to the drone strike. “I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday. They shouldn’t be doing that,” he added.

In a Truth Social post earlier on Friday, Trump accused Iran of firing at least four drones at passing ships, with one striking the vessel. “Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” he penned.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared its response to the US attacks would be “swift and decisive, at the time and place we choose”.

Iranian state television reported that “two missiles hit a telecommunications tower in the Sirik area” along the Strait of Hormuz.