U.S. Says Iran Airstrikes Are Over, Warns Further Violence Will Be Met in Kind

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said overnight Saturday on X that the American military’s strikes in southern Iran were carried out after Iran signed a peace agreement that Washington says it has honored. He added, “If there is disagreement about how the memorandum of understanding is being implemented, they can pick up the phone, but violence will be answered with violence.”

A U.S. official told CNN the strikes were now over and said, “This is not a return to fighting, at least not for now.” U.S. Central Command meanwhile released footage from the attack and said an Iranian navy communications tower had been struck.

In its own statement a day earlier, the U.S. military said American aircraft hit missile storage sites, drones, and radar sites after Iran attacked a cargo ship leaving the Strait of Hormuz. It said Iran’s “unjustified aggression” clearly violated the ceasefire and threatened freedom of navigation in an international trade corridor, adding that U.S. forces remained vigilant to ensure the agreement with Iran was fully upheld.

Earlier, President Donald Trump said Iran had launched at least four drones at ships passing through the strait. He said a cargo ship was damaged but continued sailing, and added, “We shot down three additional drones,” calling it “a stupid violation of the ceasefire agreement.” Hours later, reports from Iran said explosions were heard in the port city of Sirik near the Strait of Hormuz.

Vance also told UnHerd on Thursday that an arrangement had been reached for a Revolutionary Guards representative in Doha, alongside a U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, representative, “to settle disputes and prevent further clashes.” At the same time, uncertainty remains over the memorandum’s details. Iran has denied agreeing to nuclear monitoring, while IAEA chief Rafael Grossi rejected claims that inspectors’ access had not been discussed, saying, “The agency will need access and inspection, we hope to be there soon.” He said the interim deal allows UN nuclear watchdog staff access to Iran.