The U.S. military launched airstrikes Friday against Iranian targets after Tehran attacked a commercial cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions despite a ceasefire agreement signed earlier this month.
President Donald Trump said Iran fired at least four attack drones at ships in the waterway, with one striking a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel. Trump warned of consequences on Truth Social, writing that the attack “clearly violated” the ceasefire deal, and the U.S. followed through hours later.
What Happened
U.S. Central Command confirmed it conducted strikes against Iranian military facilities, targeting missile and drone storage sites along with radar installations near the Strait of Hormuz and on Qeshm Island. “The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Six U.S. aircraft struck four separate targets, according to a U.S. official who spoke to CBS News. The operation came one day after Iran’s drone attack damaged the cargo ship’s bridge, though no injuries or environmental damage was reported.
The Ceasefire Under Strain
The two nations reached a 14-point agreement earlier this month that required Iran to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days while both sides negotiate broader issues including Iran’s nuclear program. The deal initially boosted commercial shipping through the critical waterway and pushed global oil prices lower.
Disputes over implementation have emerged quickly. The U.S. prefers routing ships through southern portions near Oman’s coast, while Iran insists vessels use routes closer to its shores and has suggested tolls could be imposed after the temporary agreement expires. Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned Thursday that ships outside Iranian-designated routes would lose safe-passage guarantees.
Diplomatic Fallout
Vice President JD Vance, who led negotiations, defended the military response Friday. “If they have disagreements about how the memorandum of understanding is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence,” Vance wrote on social media.
The strikes mark the first direct U.S. military action against Iran since the ceasefire took effect, raising questions about whether ongoing diplomatic negotiations can continue despite the escalation.
This story has been updated. CNN’s security and defense team contributed to this report.
