The U.S. launched strikes against Iran in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. launched strikes against Iran on June 26 in response to Iran’s attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on the social media platform X. The two sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire.

The U.S. Air Force struck Iranian missile and drone depots, as well as coastal radar installations, after Iran launched a drone attack on June 25 against the M/V Ever Lovely, which flies the Singaporean flag, according to a statement from CENTCOM. At the time of the attack, the vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz and traveling along the coast of Oman, the statement said.

“Unprovoked aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior has undermined freedom of navigation at a time when trade is increasingly active along this vital international trade route,” CENTCOM stated.

Oil prices slowed their decline following the Command’s announcement. Brent crude rose above $73 per barrel after falling to $71.4 during the day, but was still 3% below the previous day’s closing price. U.S. WTI crude fell 3.7%, but also rose to $69.2 per barrel from a session low of $68.6.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that “the U.S. violated the ceasefire and the memorandum of understanding with Iran by attacking targets in the Sirik district (which lies on the Iranian shore of the Strait of Hormuz).”

News of Iran’s attack on a commercial vessel broke on June 25. The Wall Street Journal reported that the vessel’s bridge was damaged as a result, but no one was injured. The attack occurred a few hours after the Iranian Navy ordered ships not to use routes through the strait that were not authorized by Tehran, the WSJ reported. Following the attack, the International Maritime Organization (IMO, a specialized agency of the UN) suspended the evacuation of ships from the Strait of Hormuz.

On June 26, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement, stating that Tehran had launched at least four drones at ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Three drones were shot down, but the fourth struck the upper deck of a “large and very expensive cargo ship,” Trump added.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor