Tensions in the Middle East have risen again as the US military launched an operation targeting Iranian military sites in response to an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump accused Tehran of violating the agreement.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed that the military struck missile storage facilities, a drone hangar, and coastal radar stations in Iran last Friday. CENTCOM said the operation was retaliation for a drone attack on a cargo ship on Thursday, which forced the suspension of evacuation plans for over 11,000 crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military stated that the attack on the commercial vessel was a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and a threat to freedom of navigation on one of the world's most important international trade routes.
They confirmed they will continue coordinating efforts to protect the safety of all commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian government explained that the cargo ship was attacked because it used an unauthorized shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the US as the violator of the agreement and said the US used the maritime incident as a pretext to launch attacks on Iran’s coast.
The IRGC also claimed that Iranian naval forces responded by attacking US bases in the region but provided no further details. The US Department of Defense has not yet commented on this claim.
They warned that if the US launches another attack, Iran will respond more broadly and with greater force.
This escalation comes despite the US and Iran having recently signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding on 17 June aimed at ending hostilities.
A key point in the agreement was Iran’s commitment to ensure safe commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and to refrain from imposing any tolls or fees for 60 days.
However, the recent attack on the cargo ship has raised concerns that the agreement may be starting to unravel.
Following the US strikes, US Vice President J.D. Vance posted on platform X that if Iran disputes the interpretation of the memorandum, it should pursue negotiations rather than violence, but warned that violence will be met with violence.
President Trump, speaking at the White House, expressed strong displeasure over the recent attack on the cargo ship and accused Iran of foolishly violating the ceasefire agreement, warning that violence will be met with strong retaliation.
Ebrahim Asisi, Chairman of the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament, posted on social media that the US launched another attack on Iran while negotiations were ongoing.
He stated that this reckless violation of the ceasefire agreement will bring consequences for the US similar to past incidents, emphasizing that blaming others will no longer be effective.
Earlier, Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli attacks at the end of February, causing global oil prices to spike and disrupting natural gas shipments as well as key goods like fertilizer.
In recent days, the US government has confirmed that talks with Iran are progressing well, and Iran has promised not to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, some Iranian officials insist that management of the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-conflict state.
The cargo ship attacked was the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the ship was hit by gunfire about 7.5 nautical miles southeast of the port of Duqm, Oman.
The Ever Lovely’s owner confirmed that the ship followed the route recommended by UKMTO and that all crew, the vessel, and its cargo remain safe.
Nevertheless, the incident forced the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to temporarily suspend evacuation plans for over 11,000 crew members stranded in this critical shipping lane.
. Source:BBC
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