US hits Iranian targets after Hormuz attack as Trump, Tehran trade accusations over ceasefire

New Delhi: Just over a week after Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding meant to pave the way for lasting peace between their nations, the US struck Iranian missile and drone sites in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This led both sides to take jibes at each other, with Trump calling Iran’s actions a “foolish violation,” while Iran’s parliament hit back, calling Trump a “failed” president.

US Central Command said in a statement that its aircraft “struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites.” A one-way attack drone launched by Iran on Thursday struck the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely in the strait off the coast of Oman, the command added. The vessel was able to continue on its way through the strait.

The US’s military action following the incident marks the first direct American response since both countries agreed to an interim arrangement to halt hostilities and restore stability in the Gulf, raising fresh concerns that the fragile understanding could quickly unravel.

The MoU, signed last week, declared the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts,” including the removal of US forces from the immediate vicinity of Iran. However, tensions have soared between the two countries again, with Washington striking Iranian missile and drone programme targets, saying Tehran violated the truce by attacking a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump publicly accused Iran of breaching the ceasefire, saying at least four one-way attack drones were launched at the cargo ship. He claimed one drone hit the vessel while US forces intercepted the remaining three before they could cause further damage. Although the ship continued its voyage, Trump described the incident as a “foolish violation” of the truce and indicated that the US response was intended to deter similar attacks.

Responding to Trump’s post, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, said the Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran and urged vessels to “respect the rules,” calling it “not a violation of the ceasefire” but rather “ceasefire management.” Hours after the US strikes, Azizi accused Washington of attacking Iran amid ongoing negotiations, saying the “failed US president” had shown he had no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire. He warned that the strikes would ultimately lead to “retreat and regret,” adding that “the blame game does not work anymore.”

US Vice President JD Vance said any disputes over the implementation of the ceasefire agreement should be addressed through communication rather than force. “Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honoured it,” he said, adding that any further attacks on commercial shipping would be met with force.

The exchange comes just a day after security concerns resurfaced in the Gulf, with a cargo vessel damaged in an earlier attack near the Strait of Hormuz that forced the International Maritime Organization to pause its operation evacuating stranded commercial ships through an alternative route in the region.

The latest escalation has renewed uncertainty over maritime security in West Asia. Commercial traffic had been slowly recovering since the ceasefire was announced, but Friday’s military clash is expected to slow that progress and keep global energy markets on edge as diplomatic efforts continue.