The US military conducted airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites on Friday, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), following a drone attack on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. CENTCOM characterized the strikes as a "powerful response" to the assault on the Ever Lovely, which President Donald Trump called a "foolish violation" of a ceasefire agreement. The attack targeted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international trade corridor, prompting US military action against Iranian installations.
Iranian Drone Strikes Cargo Vessel in Strait of Hormuz
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that a cargo vessel was hit 7.5 nautical miles south-east of Oman's port of Dahit by "an unknown projectile" on Thursday. CENTCOM stated that Iranian forces targeted the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel, using a one-way attack drone. No injuries were recorded in the attack.
The Ever Lovely's operator, Evergreen, confirmed the vessel had been adhering to UKMTO's recommended passage through the strait when it came under attack. "All crew members remain safe as does the vessel itself and all cargo," Evergreen added.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump accused Iran of firing at least four drones at passing ships, with one striking the vessel. "Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement," he wrote.
US Conducts Airstrikes on Iranian Military Installations
American forces conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian missile and drone storage facilities along with coastal radar installations on Friday, according to CENTCOM. "The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire," CENTCOM said. "Furthermore, Iran's dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor."
The military action followed Trump's remarks to journalists at the White House. "I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday. They shouldn't be doing that," he said. When questioned about whether the US would retaliate to the drone strike, Trump responded: "You'll find out."
Iran Promises Swift Response to US Attacks
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared its response to the US attacks would be "swift and decisive, at the time and place we choose".
Iranian state television reported that "two missiles hit a telecommunications tower in the Sirik area" along the Strait of Hormuz.
FAQ
What happened to the cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday?
Iranian forces struck the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, with a one-way attack drone 7.5 nautical miles south-east of Oman's port of Dahit on Thursday. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported the vessel was hit by "an unknown projectile." No injuries were recorded, and the vessel's operator Evergreen confirmed all crew members, the vessel, and cargo remained safe.
How did the US respond to the Iranian drone attack?
The US military conducted airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites on Friday. US Central Command characterized the strikes as a "powerful response" to the Thursday assault, stating that Iranian forces "clearly violated the ceasefire" and undermined freedom of navigation in the vital international trade corridor.
What did Iran say about the US airstrikes?
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared its response to the US attacks would be "swift and decisive, at the time and place we choose." Iranian state television reported that two missiles hit a telecommunications tower in the Sirik area along the Strait of Hormuz.
