The U.S. military carried out strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites Friday, responding to Tehran's drone attack on a commercial cargo ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation followed Thursday's attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely as it exited the strategically important waterway near the coast of Oman.
According to CENTCOM, Iran used a one-way attack drone to strike the vessel. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, which is affiliated with the British Royal Navy, said the drone damaged the ship's starboard side and bridge. No injuries were reported among the crew.
The U.S. military accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire agreement through the attack.
"Furthermore, Iran's dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor," CENTCOM said in a statement.
CENTCOM also said U.S. forces continue to provide "safe passage coordination and support" for commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that carries roughly 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas shipments.
The command added that the U.S. military "remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect."
A Pentagon official said that the U.S. strikes concluded by 5:30 p.m. EDT Friday.
Earlier Friday, Iran asserted its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that ships using the passage should coordinate with Tehran to ensure safe transit.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said attempts to bypass Iran's role in managing traffic through the strait could result in "the suspension of the designated parallel route."
"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," Gharibabadi wrote on the social media platform X.
President Donald Trump suggested Friday that additional action against Iran remains a possibility when asked whether Tehran would face consequences for attacking the cargo ship.
"We'll find out," Trump said.
"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," the president added.
