US Launches Airstrikes on Iran After Drone Attack on Cargo Ship in Strait of Hormuz

The United States has carried out airstrikes on Iranian military targets following a drone attack on a commercial cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in tensions despite a recent ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.

The strikes came after US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the truce by attacking the Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Ever Lovely, with a one-way attack drone on Thursday.

No casualties were reported in the incident, but the attack prompted the suspension of plans to evacuate thousands of sailors stranded in the strategic waterway.

In a statement on Friday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations, describing the operation as “a powerful response” to what it called an “unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping.”

“The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,” CENTCOM said, adding that the US military would continue to coordinate safe passage for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran had not officially commented on the strikes at the time of filing this report.

Speaking to reporters shortly before the military action was announced, President Trump hinted at a response when asked whether the United States would retaliate.

“You’ll find out,” Trump said, adding that Iran “shouldn’t be doing that.”

Vice President JD Vance later defended the military action, saying Iran could resolve any disagreements over the ceasefire agreement through diplomacy rather than force.

“If Iran has disagreements about how the memorandum of understanding is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence,” Vance wrote on X.

The latest confrontation comes weeks after the United States and Iran agreed to end hostilities under a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. Under the agreement, Iran pledged to make its best efforts to guarantee the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas exports. Iran had effectively shut the waterway during the recent conflict, triggering spikes in global energy prices and disrupting international shipping.

The Ever Lovely was reportedly struck about 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman’s Port of Dahit while sailing along a route recommended by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The vessel’s owner, Evergreen, said all crew members were safe and the ship sustained no major damage.

Following the attack, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) suspended its planned evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the region as a precaution.