The strikes by U.S. Central Command (Centcom) hit Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar locations after Iran damaged a Singapore-flagged container ship, Ever Lovely, near the coast of Oman.
Iran struck the ship, which was exiting a key waterway, with a one-way attack drone, according to Centcom. The vessel’s starboard side and its bridge sustained damage, but no one on board was reported injured.
Centcom accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire with the ship attack.
The U.S. forces in the region continue to provide a “safe passage coordination and support” to commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas flows through, Centcom said, adding the military “remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect.”
On Friday, Iran asserted its authority over the strait, warning that safe passage can only be guaranteed for vessels that coordinate their routes with Tehran.
“Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes, or decision-making outside of Iran’s considerations as the coastal state, cannot be guaranteed,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on social platform X.
President Trump earlier Friday signaled kinetic action against Iran may be considered, when asked if Iran would face consequences for hitting the container ship.
“We’ll find out,” he said from the Oval Office.
Asked whether he considers the ceasefire to still be in place, Trump replied: “I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday. Actually four. Not an allied ship, but a ship. A very expensive ship and it was fine, but it took a little beating. They shouldn’t be doing that.”
Read the full report at thehill.com.
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