us-strikes-iran-strait-hormuz-ships

U.S. strikes Iranian targets near strait after Iran fires at ships

Barak Ravid

Ships — Commercial ships and tankers in the strait off the coast of Oman. Photo: Shady Alassar/Anadolu via Getty

The U.S. military conducted strikes against Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

Why it matters: These are the first U.S. strikes against Iranian targets since the signing last week of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), which declared an end to the war.

Vice President Vance — who helped lead negotiations last week — posted Friday evening that "violence will be met with violence."
He wrote: "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."
According to CENTCOM, U.S. military aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites around the strait.

Driving the news: The U.S. strikes came after Iran on Thursday launched drones against several commercial ships that crossed through the Strait of Hormuz.

One drone hit a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Ever Lovely, while it was exiting the strait along the Omani coast, CENTCOM said, describing the U.S. attacks as a "powerful response."

What they're saying: President Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier Friday that the Iranian drone strike was "a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Friday evening: "A few hours ago the treaty-breaking American regime violated its obligations as always and launched an airstrike on the coasts of the Islamic Republic of Iran under various pretexts."
The IRGC said its Navy responded by striking "locations of the U.S. terrorist army in the region." It warned "in the event of repeated aggression, our response will be more extensive than this."

CENTCOM said in a statement: "CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. 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."

What to watch: Whether Iran decides to respond militarily.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.