The U.S. launched military strikes against Iranian military targets on Friday after Tehran’s alleged drone attack on a commercial cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites in response to the June 25 attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Ever Lovely. The ship was sailing along the Omani coast while exiting the Strait of Hormuz when it was hit by what the U.S. military described as a one-way attack drone.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the attack on commercial shipping “clearly violated the ceasefire” and undermined freedom of navigation through one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. The command added that U.S. forces will continue providing safe-passage coordination and support for commercial vessels operating in the region while remaining vigilant to ensure compliance with the existing agreement with Iran.

The strikes mark another escalation in tensions surrounding maritime security in the Persian Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. According to NBC News, the U.S. characterized the military action as a direct response to Iran’s attack on the Ever Lovely, emphasizing that the strikes targeted military infrastructure tied to missile and drone operations rather than broader civilian facilities.

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