US airstrikes hit Iranian military sites after alleged ceasefire breach in Strait of Hormuz attack, escalating tensions in a volatile Gulf maritime standoff, reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United States has carried out airstrikes on Iranian military targets following what President Donald Trump described as a “foolish violation” of a ceasefire agreement, after an attack on a commercial vessel in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces struck missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar installations on Friday, in what it described as a “powerful response” to a drone attack on a cargo ship a day earlier.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes were launched in retaliation for an incident involving the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Ever Lovely, which was hit by a one-way attack drone while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coastline. The attack reportedly forced a disruption in regional maritime operations, including the suspension of planned evacuation movements involving thousands of sailors.
In its statement, CENTCOM said Iranian forces had engaged in “unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping”, adding that the action violated a ceasefire agreement and undermined freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most important trade corridors.
US aircraft targeted missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar positions, which Washington said were being used to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf. The command added that American forces remain deployed in the region to ensure maritime security and support safe passage for commercial vessels.
President Trump said he was monitoring the situation closely and warned that consequences could follow Iran’s actions, while emphasising that US forces had already intercepted multiple threats in the region.
Iran, however, rejected Washington’s justification for the strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had retaliated against US military positions in West Asia, describing the American operation as a breach of commitments under a ceasefire framework. Iranian state media reported that the IRGC labelled the US strikes an “aggression” and warned of a broader response if violations continued.
The IRGC further claimed that arrangements governing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz existed under a formal memorandum of understanding, accusing the US of attempting to undermine agreed mechanisms for maritime control in the region.
Iranian officials also alleged that Washington had acted under the pretext of enforcing navigation rules, while in reality targeting sovereign military sites. The IRGC warned that any repeat of such actions would prompt a more extensive response.
US Vice President JD Vance said Iran could resolve disputes through diplomatic channels, stating that if Tehran had concerns over implementation of the ceasefire agreement, it should “pick up the phone”. He added that any further violence would be met with force.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a separate diplomatic development, signing a trilateral framework agreement involving Israel and Lebanon, which Washington described as a step towards regional stability.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire commitments and escalating risks to one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
