U.S. forces conducted airstrikes against Iranian missile, drone storage facilities, and coastal radar sites on Friday in response to a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz the previous day. The U.S. Central Command described the strikes as a “powerful response” to what it termed “unwarranted aggression” by Iran, which it said violated a ceasefire agreement reached just nine days earlier between the two countries.
President Donald Trump indicated the military retaliation on Friday, asserting that the drone attack had breached the ceasefire and describing Iran’s actions as a “foolish violation.” According to U.S. officials, one drone struck the upper deck of the ship—identified by some reports as the Singapore-flagged M/V Ever Lovely—while three other drones targeting the vessel were shot down. The British military confirmed that a container ship was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman but reported no injuries.
The incident took place amid fragile peace talks following a memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran last week, intended to end months of hostilities and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping corridor. Under the interim deal, the two sides have 60 days to negotiate further terms, including protocols for safe navigation through the strait and Iran’s management of its enriched uranium stockpile.
The attack disrupted a United Nations-backed maritime operation designed to move stranded vessels out of the strait via an alternative route along the Omani coast, avoiding the central navigational channel. The International Maritime Organization suspended the evacuation efforts following the drone strike, pending guarantees that ships would not face further attacks. Approximately 115 vessels had successfully transited the strait in recent days, but nearly 500 remained in the area. Shipping analysts noted that although the strait remains operationally open, the pace of normalization has slowed significantly after the attack.
Iranian officials rejected the claim that the drone strike violated the ceasefire. Ebrahim Azizi, chair of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, described the incident as "ceasefire management" and asserted that Tehran governs the Strait of Hormuz, urging respect for its rules. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that safe passage through the strait cannot be guaranteed by arrangements made without Iranian coordination, emphasizing that any navigation framework must be based on Iran’s approval.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed a firm response to the U.S. strikes, which reportedly targeted sites near the city of Sirik close to the strait. The IRGC claimed to have thwarted a U.S. “counterattack” and warned that further provocations would be met with “harsh responses.” Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance reiterated on social media that violence would be met with violence but encouraged dialogue to resolve disagreements over the ceasefire.
The exchange of military actions and warnings has cast uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts. Analysts and officials remain cautious about whether the incident signals a potential escalation or a controlled retaliation within the framework of the interim deal. Regional tensions were further underscored earlier Friday by a missile warning alert in the United Arab Emirates caused by a technical glitch, highlighting the volatility in the area even as negotiations continue.