The US Central Command (Centcom) on Sunday shared a video showing American air and naval strikes on Iranian military targets, saying the operation was carried out in response to Iran’s latest drone attack on a commercial oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.Posting the footage on social media, Centcom said, “US Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes tonight on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz for Iran’s drone attack on M/T Kiku.”The video was released hours after the US military announced fresh strikes on Iran, saying the action had been ordered by President Donald Trump following what it described as another violation of the ceasefire agreement.
US says strikes followed attack on oil tanker
Earlier on Sunday, Centcom said US forces had carried out additional strikes after Iran launched a one-way attack drone that struck the Panama-flagged oil tanker M/T Kiku at 4:30 am ET while it was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.“After yesterday’s US strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to,” Centcom said.According to the US military, the retaliatory operation targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities.“Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” the statement added.
Escalating tensions despite ceasefire
The latest strikes mark another escalation despite an interim ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending hostilities.President Donald Trump also confirmed the operation on social media, saying the US had “struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!” He warned that Washington could eventually “be forced to militarily complete the job” if Iran continued its actions.Iranian state television reported explosions in an area north of the strategic waterway following the strikes.The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil exports.The latest attacks have heightened concerns over maritime security, even as the US and Iran continue negotiations aimed at reaching a broader agreement on shipping, regional security and Tehran’s nuclear programme.
