US strikes Iran after drone attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

The United States military has launched strikes against Iranian targets following a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor vital to global trade. The incident marks a significant escalation in ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with implications for international commerce and regional stability.

On Thursday, the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged vessel, was struck by a one-way attack drone approximately 7.5 nautical miles south-east of Oman's port of Dahit. No casualties were reported in the attack, though it prompted the planned evacuation of thousands of sailors from the region. The US military's Central Command (Centcom) responded on Friday by striking Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, coastal radar positions, and other military installations.

The escalation comes as tensions simmer over a ceasefire agreement reached in June between the US and Iran. Both nations had committed to a 14-point memorandum of understanding designed to de-escalate hostilities and ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps disputed the US account, accusing America and Israel of violating the agreement and threatening a more extensive response if attacks continue.

The Strait of Hormuz remains critical to global energy supplies, with millions of barrels of oil and gas passing through daily. Earlier in the year, Iran had effectively closed the waterway following US and Israeli military operations, causing global oil prices to spike and disrupting shipments of essential commodities including fertiliser. Ongoing disputes over tolling systems and navigation rights continue to fuel tensions between the parties.

President Donald Trump described Iran's actions as a 'foolish violation' of the truce, whilst Vice-President JD Vance warned that further aggression would be met with force. The situation remains fluid, with unclear whether Friday's US response represents an isolated incident or marks the beginning of a broader military campaign.