The US military carried out new strikes against Iranian targets, following an assault on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The operations, ordered by President Donald Trump, aim to degrade Iran’s capacity to threaten maritime traffic in this vital international waterway.
Earlier, Iran violated a tenuous ceasefire by attacking the commercial vessel, prompting the initial US retaliatory strike targeting missile storage sites, surveillance radars, and drone launch facilities. The latest strikes continue the effort to hold Iranian forces accountable for hostile actions disrupting maritime security.
President Trump affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all lawful shipping, countering Iranian claims that it had closed the passage. US Central Command emphasized that its forces are poised to ensure freedom of navigation despite Iranian provocations and threats.
The president also noted that Iran had agreed to a deal limiting its nuclear ambitions, but the attack on the merchant ship effectively paused negotiations. Trump highlighted the firmness of the US response, describing the bombing as a decisive measure to maintain security and uphold international maritime norms.