The United States has launched airstrikes against Iran in retaliation for a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites on Friday, following the attack on the Singapore-flagged vessel M/V Ever Lovely.
Attack on Cargo Ship
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that a vessel was struck 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman's port of Dahit by an unknown projectile on Thursday. No casualties were reported. CENTCOM identified the vessel as the M/V Ever Lovely, which was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast when it was hit by a one-way attack drone.
US Response and Justification
US aircraft conducted strikes against Iran as a powerful response to the attack. CENTCOM stated, "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."
This is a breaking news story and details are still emerging. The US has not provided further information on the extent of the damage or potential casualties from the airstrikes.
