U.S. strikes Iranian targets after drone attack on commercial ship

U.S. aircraft hit Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites on June 26 after Iran struck a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the first American attack on Iran since the two sides agreed to extend a ceasefire last week. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were a response to what it called a direct threat to commercial shipping and said the Iranian attack "clearly violated the ceasefire."

The clash began a day earlier when Iranian forces hit the Singapore-flagged M/V Ever Lovely with a one-way attack drone as the vessel was transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre said the ship’s bridge was damaged on its starboard side off Dahit, Oman. No casualties or environmental impact were reported. President Donald Trump called the strike a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire and, when asked whether Iran would face consequences, said, "You'll find out."

The Strait of Hormuz typically carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, making any disruption a threat not just to ships in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf but to energy markets far beyond the region. Oil prices fell about 3% on Friday as shipping tensions and the new U.S. strikes unsettled traders.

The International Maritime Organization paused its evacuation effort for ships and seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz after the attack. The Ever Lovely had not been part of its evacuation framework, and safety guarantees had to be reconfirmed.

Last week’s U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding had said Iran would arrange safe, toll-free passage through the strait "using its best efforts" for 60 days. Kpler data showed traffic rising from six vessels a week earlier to 70 vessels in one day.