New tensions have emerged between the United States and Iran following an incident involving a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent American military operations in the region. CENTCOM announced it carried out strikes against Iranian targets, stating the action was a direct response to the attack on the vessel and aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation.
The US military conducted strikes against targets in Iran on Friday, according to a statement from US Central Command. The operation involved attacks by American aircraft on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations.
According to the statement, the strikes were a response to Tehran’s attack on a commercial vessel navigating the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that sharply raised tensions in the region. US forces emphasized that the action was intended to deter further hostile acts and safeguard freedom of navigation in international waters.
Per the CENTCOM statement, American aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar stations. These operations were carried out following Iran’s June 25 drone attack on the vessel M/V Ever Lovely.
CENTCOM’s statement stressed that “the unprovoked aggression by Iranian forces against commercial shipping clearly violated the ceasefire.” The statement further noted that Iran’s dangerous behavior undermines freedom of navigation at a time when commercial traffic through this vital international trade corridor is on the rise.
US Central Command also stated that “CENTCOM forces continue to provide coordination for safe transit and support to commercial vessels crossing the Strait.” The American military underscored that it remains present and on full alert to ensure that all aspects of the agreement with Iran are fully observed and enforced.
“Our response this time will be unprecedented,” warned Ibrahim al-Fikar, an Iranian military official and official spokesperson for the “Khatam al-Anbiya” Central Headquarters — the operational command center that coordinates Iran’s conventional armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — following the American strikes.
Iranian media reported that an explosion was heard in the Sirik region in southern Iran, noting that the origin of the blast was not immediately clear.
It is worth noting that on Friday (June 26), US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming it had launched at least four suicide drones against ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to the American president, one of the drones struck the deck of a cargo ship, while US forces shot down the remaining three.
