The United States has launched strikes against Iranian military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz and on Qeshm Island, in response to a drone attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel. The US Central Command said it targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations, describing the action as a 'powerful response' to the attack on the M/V Ever Lovely.
The strikes, which occurred on Friday, appeared designed to be limited in scope, aiming to retaliate without escalating the broader conflict. The US military stated it would continue to enforce the ceasefire with Iran, despite disagreements over Iran's nuclear programme, tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, and its ballistic missile programme.
US Vice-President JD Vance wrote on social media that Iran's drone attack violated the ceasefire, adding that 'violence will be met with violence'. President Donald Trump called the attack a 'foolish violation' of the agreement. Iranian state media reported an explosion at the port of Sirik, with a military source claiming warning shots had been fired earlier at vessels violating strait regulations.
The Revolutionary Guards said they had struck locations where US military personnel are stationed and warned of a broader response to any further US attacks. However, senior Iranian security official Ebrahim Azizi stated that Iran was not seeking escalation, describing the incident as 'ceasefire management'.
The attack on the M/V Ever Lovely damaged the ship's bridge but caused no casualties, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre. The incident has paused UN efforts to evacuate hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, though Hezbollah said it would not cooperate.
