U.S. Strikes Iranian Sites After Drone Attack on Hormuz Shipping

Explosions were heard Friday evening near the port city of Sirik in southern Iran, close to the Strait of Hormuz, and shortly afterward the U.S. military said it was behind the bombardment. The strikes came after President Donald Trump had issued a veiled warning to Tehran over an attack the previous day on ships in the strait using drones.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I don't like the fact that they shot. Four were shot down, three hit a ship, not a ship of an ally, but a very expensive ship, and it's fine, but it took a little. They (the Iranians) should not do that. So you'll find out when I respond, you'll have to find out.” Earlier, on his Truth account, he confirmed Iran was behind the attack, saying at least four drones were launched at ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, one struck the upper deck of a large and very expensive cargo vessel, damage was caused but the ship continued on, and three other drones were downed. He called it “a stupid violation of our ceasefire agreement.”

CENTCOM said the strikes were a “strong response” to the attack on the commercial vessel that crossed the strait on Thursday. It said U.S. aircraft hit Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar sites after Iran struck the M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with an explosive drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz along Oman’s coast when it was hit. CENTCOM said Iran’s “unjustified aggression” against commercial shipping clearly violated the ceasefire and threatened freedom of navigation in a vital international trade corridor.

CENTCOM added that it continues to coordinate and support safe passage for commercial vessels crossing the strait, and that U.S. forces remain present and alert to ensure all parts of the agreement with Iran are kept in full effect. The attack also came a day after Vice President J.D. Vance said CENTCOM officials would meet IRGC counterparts in Doha as part of a direct channel meant to reduce the risk of renewed escalation. But the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied that claim, saying, “No communication line with the United States has been established and will be established,” and calling the American statements an invention.