The U.S. military said it launched another strike against Iran hours after an oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the most serious escalation since the two sides signed a temporary peace agreement two weeks ago.
Reuters reported that the U.S. Central Command said on Saturday (June 27) that U.S. forces carried out a new round of strikes after a Panama-flagged oil tanker was attacked by an Iranian drone early that morning.
The U.S. Central Command said in a statement: “Iran had the opportunity to abide by the ceasefire agreement but chose not to do so.”
The statement said the strikes were “a direct response to Iran’s continued aggression against commercial shipping” and targeted Iran’s military surveillance, communications, air defense systems, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying facilities.
According to Fox News, a U.S. defense official later said the strikes on Iranian targets had been completed.
Trump posted on social media on Saturday: “There may come a time when we can no longer exercise restraint and must complete with military means the operations we have already carried out very successfully. If things reach that point, the Islamic Republic of Iran will cease to exist!”
On the Iranian side, state broadcaster IRIB said early Sunday (28th) local time that explosions were heard in the southern region of Sirik, but no further details were provided.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the attacked tanker’s bridge was damaged, but all crew members were safe. The Combined Maritime Information Center, composed of multinational navies responsible for protecting shipping, raised the security threat level due to recent events.
Iran has not directly commented on reports of the attack on the specific vessel, but Iranian state television said the Revolutionary Guard fired “warning shots” at ships attempting to pass through unauthorized waterways, prompting other vessels to seek Iranian permission before attempting to transit the strait.
Iranian Parliament National Security Committee Chairman Azizi warned on Saturday that any violation of Iran’s shipping instructions would be met with a decisive response.
U.S. Vice President Vance, meanwhile, pointed out that the U.S. had complied with the ceasefire agreement and blamed Iran for any potential conflict arising from Iranian actions.
Vance said: “Iran signed the ceasefire agreement, and we abided by it. If they have disagreements over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, they can call and communicate. But violence will be met with violence.”
The situation in the strait has left the U.S.-Iran ceasefire arrangement teetering. The U.S. had previously attacked Iran’s missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar positions on Friday (26th) in response to Iran’s attack on a cargo ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday (25th).
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