Iran 'hits' cargo ship, US hits back: Strait of Hormuz crisis escalates

"U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, as well as coastal radar sites, after Iran attacked the M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 using a one-way attack drone," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The Singapore-flagged cargo vessel was sailing along Oman's coast while exiting the Strait of Hormuz when it was allegedly targeted.

"The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire," CENTCOM said.

"Furthermore, Iran's dangerous behaviour undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through this vital international trade corridor," the statement added.

CENTCOM said U.S. forces continue to coordinate and support the safe passage of commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and remain in full force and effect," it said.

The command did not disclose the exact location of the strikes.

JD Vance warns Iran

U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned Iran that any further attacks would invite a military response.

In a strongly worded post on X, Vance wrote: "Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone."

"But violence will be met with violence," he added.

Trump accuses Iran of violating ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump also accused Iran of breaching the recently brokered ceasefire by launching drone attacks against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran launched at least four one-way attack drones at ships passing through the strategic waterway.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship," Trump wrote.

He said U.S. forces intercepted the remaining three drones.

"Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement," Trump added.

Fragile ceasefire under pressure

Trump's remarks come as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement following the ceasefire agreed to earlier this month.

The two sides are discussing key issues, including ensuring safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and determining the future of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Under the interim agreement, the United States and Iran have 60 days to negotiate the terms of a broader and more permanent peace arrangement.

UN evacuates 2,500 stranded seafarers

The United Nations' maritime agency said on Friday it had evacuated around 2,500 stranded seafarers from the Persian Gulf before temporarily suspending the operation after the attack on the commercial vessel raised fresh concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said 115 ships carrying approximately 2,500 crew members departed the Gulf during the first three-and-a-half days of the evacuation mission.

The figures provide the first official measure of an operation launched this week to rescue nearly 11,000 mariners stranded aboard about 600 vessels since the conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran escalated in late February.

The evacuation was suspended on Thursday after the container ship Ever Lovely was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz near Oman's coast.

The vessel was not participating in the IMO-led evacuation operation, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said during a press conference in London.

"We're still investigating exactly what happened to the vessel," Dominguez said.

"But what I can confirm is that the ship was not contacting the authorities in Oman in order to transit under the agreed evacuation framework."

His remarks provided the clearest picture so far of a rescue operation that has become increasingly entangled in the fragile diplomatic efforts to secure one of the world's most strategically important maritime trade routes.