US strikes Iran after attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says its forces carried out strikes against Iran as a “powerful response” to Thursday’s attack on a commercial vessel that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes were announced Friday evening, just hours after President Donald Trump accused Iran of carrying out Thursday’s attack, describing it as “a foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement between both countries.

“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,” CENTCOM said in a statement after it struck the Islamic Republic.

The exchange of strikes is the first major military retaliation since both sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last week which ended hostilities and included provisions aimed at reopening the strategic waterway.

It also comes as both countries currently hold talks in Switzerland to permanently end the war.

No casualties were reported when the ship was struck by a one-way attack drone on Thursday, an incident which prompted a planned evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stuck in the region.

Iran has not claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack, but it has not denied any role, either.

The Islamic Republic has also yet to publicly react to the latest strikes from the US.

Since the MoU was signed, commercial traffic has resumed through the strait, but key disagreements remain over which shipping routes vessels should use and whether Iran should be allowed to charge a toll or transit fee.

Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister, said safe passage in Hormuz cannot be guaranteed through ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes, or decision-making that excludes Iran’s considerations as the coastal state.

CENTCOM said its forces would continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. (TheCable)