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The United States launched military strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites in retaliation for an Iranian drone attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz Source: Al Jazeera, Foreign Policy. The strikes, announced by US Central Command, came a day after the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely was struck by a drone while navigating off the coast of Oman Source: BBC. No casualties were reported, and the ship continued its voyage Source: CNA.
US President Donald Trump condemned the drone attack as a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire agreement signed on June 17, which had paused hostilities and aimed to restore free passage through the strait Source: Al Jazeera, Reuters. The attack immediately halted International Maritime Organization (IMO) efforts to evacuate over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf since the war began Source: CNA.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for the drone strike, but US officials cited by Reuters confirmed Iranian involvement Source: Al Jazeera. Tehran warned that commercial vessels must coordinate with Iran for safe passage, rejecting any alternative routes proposed by the US Source: Foreign Policy. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed under ambiguous arrangements" Source: Al Jazeera.
Bahrain separately reported being targeted by Iranian drones on Saturday, accusing Tehran of undermining peace efforts . The fragile ceasefire, part of a 60-day memorandum of understanding, now faces renewed strain as both sides trade accusations and military actions .
“U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites, CENTCOM said in a statement.”
“No casualties were reported after the ship was struck by a projectile on Thursday. In response, the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) paused its planned evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the key shipping lane.”
“One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship while three others were shot down.”
“The memorandum of understanding (MOU) that ended months of war between the two countries does not stipulate how that should happen. Iran maintains that it has the right to manage the strait’s maritime traffic.”
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