US strikes Iran after cargo ship attack in Strait of Hormuz

This action followed a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. US Central Command described the strikes as a "powerful response" to the drone attack, stating that Iran's aggression against commercial shipping violated the ceasefire and undermined freedom of navigation. Iran's foreign ministry, in turn, accused the US of violating their interim deal and reported striking targets linked to American forces.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC warned of more extensive responses if aggression is repeated. The US and Iran had agreed on June 17 to end hostilities under a 14-point memorandum of understanding, which included Iran's commitment to ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days. Vice-President JD Vance stated that violence would be met with violence, while Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, criticized the US for violating the ceasefire during negotiations.

The cargo ship attacked was the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel, which was struck south-east of Oman's port of Dahit while following a recommended route. The UN's International Maritime Organization IMO paused a planned evacuation of over 11,000 stranded sailors following the incident.