US strikes Iran after Strait of Hormuz drone attack tests ceasefire understanding

The United States struck targets in Iran on Friday after a drone attack hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The action tested an interim understanding reached a week earlier. US President Donald Trump said the drone attack broke the ceasefire. US Central Command said it hit missile and drone sites, plus coastal radar positions.

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Trump spoke at the White House shortly before the strikes began. "Youll find out,\" Trump said when asked if the US would respond. \"I dont like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually four of them,\" Trump added. Asked why strikes happened amid talks, Trump said of Iran, \"Theyre a little bit different.\"

Strait of Hormuz ceasefire and US strikes

An Iranian lawmaker rejected Trump’s claim on social media earlier Friday. Ebrahim Azizi leads the Iranian parliament’s national security commission. \"The Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran, so: Respect the rules and to not mistake control for escalation. This is not a violation of the ceasefire; it is ceasefire management,\" Azizi wrote.

A US official said the strikes ended about an hour after the US Central Command announcement. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing operation. Soon after Trump’s comments, reporters were ushered out. Trump also ended questions abruptly during the exchange.

Strait of Hormuz shipping and cargo ship attack

The British military said on Thursday that a container ship was hit by a projectile off Oman. The incident came hours after Iran warned vessels about using the route. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said there were no injuries reported. The attack came during fragile talks on a permanent end to the war.

The attack happened as a UN maritime agency began moving stranded ships this week. The operation used a route close to Oman’s shoreline. It avoided the central part of the strait. The International Maritime Organisation halted the effort after the attack. It said on Friday it would not restart without guarantees of safety.

About 115 ships left the strait in recent days, the agency said. Around 500 vessels still remained in the area. Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general, provided the figures. The alternate passage was expected to ease economic pressure. It also reduced Iran’s leverage during talks with the US.

The US and Iran were still discussing the wider deal’s terms. Talks included safe ship passage through the strait. They also covered the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the interim deal, both sides had 60 days to settle details. Iran continued to challenge control claims over the waterway.

Strait of Hormuz shipping analysis and vessel transits

Shipping analysts said the drone strike slowed improving commercial confidence. Windward said on X the incident marked the first major test. The firm reported 43 transits after the strike, but said normalisation slowed. On Wednesday, 78 vessels crossed, the highest since the war began. Pre-war averages were 130 or more daily.

Lloyds List Intelligence said at least two tankers turned back near Oman. The firm cited Iran’s insistence on Teheran-approved routes. Lloyds added that more than two dozen ships still used the strait’s southern route after the attack. The figures showed continued movement despite uncertainty after the strike.

Lebanon Israel peace step after conflict

Separately, ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon announced an agreement Friday. They described it as a step toward peace after months of conflict. Nada Hamadeh, Lebanon’s ambassador to the US, called the framework a move toward enabling our people to go back to their land and allowing all Lebanese to live in peace, security, and prosperity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the plan was a great achievement for Israel. \"The most important thing, first and foremost, is that Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon,\" Netanyahu said. Netanyahu added that Israel would stay until Hezbollah was disarmed and no longer posed a threat.

The events underscored pressure on regional security and global shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz remained open, but movement faced added checks and route disputes. The UN agency paused evacuations while seeking assurances. US-Iran negotiations continued under the 60-day interim timeline, even as fresh attacks tested the ceasefire terms.

With inputs from PTI