Tensions escalate as US hits Iranian targets after Hormuz cargo ship attack
Iran accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and said it responded by targeting US military bases in the region
In a significant escalation, the United States launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites following Iran's drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations accusing each other of violating a recently agreed-upon ceasefire and undermining ongoing negotiations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have targeted US military bases in response, and an Iranian assembly member criticized Washington for undermining diplomacy, while Iran asserted its authority over ship traffic in the Strait and warned Gulf states against aligning with the US. US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the cargo ship incident, and US Central Command confirmed the strikes were concluded, reiterating a commitment to safe passage through the Strait, with Vice President J.D. Vance stating that violence would be met with violence.
In a significant escalation, the United States launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites following Iran's drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations accusing each other of violating a recently agreed-upon ceasefire and undermining ongoing negotiations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have targeted US military bases in response, and an Iranian assembly member criticized Washington for undermining diplomacy, while Iran asserted its authority over ship traffic in the Strait and warned Gulf states against aligning with the US. US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the cargo ship incident, and US Central Command confirmed the strikes were concluded, reiterating a commitment to safe passage through the Strait, with Vice President J.D. Vance stating that violence would be met with violence.
In a significant escalation, the United States launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites following Iran's drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, with both nations accusing each other of violating a recently agreed-upon ceasefire and undermining ongoing negotiations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have targeted US military bases in response, and an Iranian assembly member criticized Washington for undermining diplomacy, while Iran asserted its authority over ship traffic in the Strait and warned Gulf states against aligning with the US. US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the cargo ship incident, and US Central Command confirmed the strikes were concluded, reiterating a commitment to safe passage through the Strait, with Vice President J.D. Vance stating that violence would be met with violence.
The United States launched strikes on Iran's missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar sites, in retaliation for a drone attack on a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation comes as both countries accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreed upon last week, further straining ongoing negotiations.
Iran said it responded by targeting US military bases in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its navy had "struck the locations where the terrorist US military is stationed in the region" and warned that any further American attacks would trigger a broader response.
Ebrahim Azizi, a member of Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly, accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and undermining diplomatic efforts.
"The US attacked Iran in the middle of negotiations once again. The failed US President has shown he has no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire. This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part. The blame game does not work anymore," Azizi wrote in a post on X.
Iran has maintained that the ceasefire agreement grants it authority over ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has also warned Gulf states against siding with Washington following Thursday's attack on a cargo ship near the coast of Oman.
Iranian military sources, quoted by state media, said several warning shots were fired from Sirik at vessels allegedly violating Strait of Hormuz regulations around five hours earlier. The sources added that two warning missiles were also launched from the nearby Karpan area toward the strategic waterway.
US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the cargo ship attack, saying it violated last week's ceasefire agreement.
"You will find out. I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday—actually, four. We knocked down three. A very expensive ship took a little beating. They shouldn't be doing that," Trump said.
US Central Command said aircraft struck missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites, and a U.S. official reported the operation had concluded. The US military said it would continue coordinating safe passage and providing support to commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Vice President J.D. Vance also defended Washington's actions, asserting that the US had upheld the ceasefire.
"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance wrote on X.