US, Iran exchange fresh military strikes as Gulf tensions re-escalate

Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified after both countries exchanged fresh military strikes, raising concerns over the stability of a recently established ceasefire. Washington said it launched attacks after accusing Tehran of targeting a commercial cargo vessel, an incident that has complicated ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on Saturday that they had carried out retaliatory strikes against US positions in the Gulf, according to Iranian state media. The statement came after the US military confirmed it had conducted operations against Iranian targets, saying the action was in response to an alleged attack on a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces said they conducted strikes against Iran, June 26, as a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. US aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack. The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor. “CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect,” read official statement.