US Strikes Iran After Drone Hits Cargo Ship in Hormuz Strait

US military hit Iranian sites Friday after Tehran's drone struck a cargo ship in Hormuz, shattering a fragile ceasefire.

US fighter jets strike Iranian missile sites after drone attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

The United States carried out airstrikes inside Iran on Friday, in direct response to a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It is the first time both countries have traded fire since they agreed to a fragile ceasefire last week.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation. American jets struck missile and drone storage sites, plus coastal radar positions used to track ships in the narrow waterway. US officials told The New York Times that four targets were hit, including locations along the strait and on Qeshm Island.

The strikes come just seven days after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding. That deal was meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days.

President Donald Trump said Iran broke the deal first. He posted on Truth Social that Tehran launched four one-way attack drones at ships on Thursday. US forces shot down three, but one struck the upper deck of a cargo vessel.

"Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement," Trump wrote. When reporters asked if America would respond, he simply said, "We'll find out".

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also logged the incident. It said a cargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile off Oman, damaging the bridge. No crew was injured and there was no spill.

CENTCOM called Iran's drone launch "dangerous behavior" that clearly violated the truce. US Vice President JD Vance warned that any further Iranian aggression would be met with force.

Tehran fired back quickly. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted US military positions in the region in retaliation. State TV quoted commanders promising a "swift and decisive" response. Explosions were reported in Sirik, a port city in Hormozgan province overlooking the strait.

Both sides now accuse each other of walking away from last week's agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz carries about one-fifth of global oil. A prolonged fight there could push up fuel prices, shipping insurance, and the cost of imported goods.

The US says its forces will stay in the area to protect commercial shipping. Iran insists it will defend its waters.