US Launches Retaliatory Strikes On Iran After Drone Attack On Cargo Ship In Hormuz

0
2

Show Quick Read

Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

  • US launched Friday strikes after Iran’s drone attack.
  • Iranian missile, drone, and coastal radar sites targeted.
  • Iran defended actions; US warned against further violence.

The United States carried out military strikes on Iran on Friday, a day after a drone attack targeted a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the most serious challenge yet to the understanding reached between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate their months-long conflict and restore security in the strategically vital waterway.

US President Donald Trump said the drone strike amounted to a violation of the ceasefire. The military action came shortly after he hinted at a possible response while speaking to reporters, Associated Press reported.

“You’ll find out,” Trump said when asked whether the United States would retaliate.

Missile, Drone And Radar Sites Targeted

The US Central Command said American forces struck missile and drone storage positions, along with coastal radar installations inside Iran in response to a one-way drone attack on M/V Ever Lovely on June 25.

“The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack,” CENTCOM said.

Speaking at the White House before the operation, Trump criticised Tehran over the previous day’s attack.

“I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually four of them,” Trump said.

When questioned about authorising military action despite repeatedly saying negotiations with Tehran were progressing well, Trump replied: “They’re a little bit different.”

ALSO READ: ‘Foolish Ceasefire Violation’: Trump Alleges Iran Fired Four Attack Drones At Ships

Iran Defends Its Position

Earlier on Friday, Ebrahim Azizi, who chairs the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, responded to Trump’s remarks through social media.

He wrote that “the Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran, so: Respect the rules” and urged Washington to “not mistake control for escalation.”

“This is not a violation of the ceasefire; it is ceasefire management,” Azizi wrote.

US Vice President JD Vance took to X to warn Iran against violation of ceasefire agreement. He urged Tehran to “pick up the phone” to talk if there are disagreements about the peace deal. 

“Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone,” he wrote on X.

“But violence will be met with violence,” Vance warned.

Operation Ends Within An Hour

According to a US official familiar with the matter, the strikes concluded about an hour after the US Central Command announced the operation on social media.

The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the military operation was still ongoing, confirmed the action had ended shortly after it began.

ALSO READ: US Announces Framework Agreement Between Israel And Lebanon

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: abplive.com