U.S. military forces conducted strikes on Iran on Friday in response to an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced.
Warplanes targeted Iranian drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites in retaliation for Thursday's attack on the M/V Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship. CENTCOM stated that the Iranian actions constituted "unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping" and violated a ceasefire.
"Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor," CENTCOM said in a statement. The command emphasized its commitment to ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels transiting the strait and maintaining vigilance to ensure adherence to the agreement with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for international trade.