US strikes on Iran after attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

The United States has carried out strikes on Iran in what it says is a response to an Iranian drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it targeted locations in the region where US forces are deployed in retaliation for the Trump administration’s latest attack.

Tehran said the cargo ship was attacked because it was taking an unauthorized route while passing through the important Gulf waterway.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) called the strikes “a powerful response” to a drone attack that happened a day earlier.

It said Iran’s “unjustified aggression” against commercial ships broke the ceasefire agreement. It also said Iran’s actions were dangerous and threatened free movement of trade through a key international shipping route.

CENTCOM added that the US military would continue helping and guiding commercial ships safely through the Strait.

https://t.co/W4zjNqnmCt

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 26, 2026

However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blamed the US government, calling it a “treaty-breaking regime.”

The IRGC said the US carried out an airstrike on Iran’s coast, claiming it was based on accusations that a ship used an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz.

It also said Iran’s navy responded by attacking US military positions in the region, but did not give details.

The IRGC warned that if attacks continue, Iran’s response will become stronger.

Iran had effectively closed the Strait after US and Israeli attacks at the end of February, causing major disruption to oil and gas shipments and increasing global oil prices.

The shutdown also affected global trade, including fertilizers and other essential goods.

The US and Iran later agreed on 17 June to stop fighting under a 14-point agreement, which also called for safe and toll-free passage of commercial ships for 60 days.

US Vice-President JD Vance said on X that if Iran had issues with the agreement, it should discuss them instead of using violence, adding that Violence will be met with violence.

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.

But violence will be met with violence. https://t.co/VWnBS1PWaV

— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 26, 2026

Iranian official Ebrahim Azizi said the US had attacked during negotiations and claimed it would eventually regret its actions.

The U.S. attacked Iran in the middle of negotiations once again.

The failed U.S. President has shown he has no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire.

This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part.

The…

— ابراهیم عزیزی (@Ebrahimazizi33) June 26, 2026

US President Donald Trump avoided saying how the US would respond to the drone attack but warned that Iran’s actions would have consequences.

He also questioned why Iran would carry out such operations.

Earlier, Trump had said Iran informed the US that it would not impose tolls or fees on ships passing through the Strait, and warned negotiations would end if that was not true.

The US and others have criticized any attempt by Iran to charge shipping fees, saying it may violate international maritime law.

The ship involved, Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel, was hit near Oman while following an advised safe route.

Its operator said the crew and cargo were safe.

The UN’s International Maritime Organization paused the evacuation of stranded sailors due to the ongoing situation in the region.