Trump Responds to Iran's Attack on Commercial Vessel
US President Donald Trump on Friday condemned Iran's attack on a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stating that the action violates the ceasefire agreement. "They shouldn't be doing that," Trump said, referring to Iran's use of a one-way attack drone against the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely on June 25.
Trump confirmed that US forces intercepted three of four incoming projectiles, but the ship sustained damage. "A very expensive ship took a little beating," he added, hinting at consequences without specifying details.
US CENTCOM Launches Retaliatory Strikes
Earlier on June 26, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes against Iranian military assets in response to the attack. US aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites, CENTCOM announced in a statement.
The attack on M/V Ever Lovely occurred as the vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast. CENTCOM described the incident as an "unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping" by Iranian forces, which clearly violated the ceasefire and undermined freedom of navigation in the vital trade corridor.
US Military Maintains Presence in the Strait
CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. The US military remains vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, the statement emphasized.
Iranian Official Warns GCC Leaders
Ebrahim Azizi, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, posted on X warning Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders that "outsourcing your security has made you less secure." He claimed US military bases in their countries have become a threat rather than a source of security, and stressed that Iran's missile and drone power, as well as management of the Strait of Hormuz, are "serious red lines."
