LONDON, June 27 (ANI) — A tanker transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz was struck in the latest maritime security incident in the region, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The vessel’s captain reported that the tanker was hit by “an unidentified projectile,” the British maritime agency said. UKMTO added that the ship sustained damage to its bridge. All crew members were reported safe, and no environmental damage has been identified.
Relevant maritime authorities are investigating the incident, UKMTO said.
The attack comes after the United States launched military strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations, following allegations that Tehran targeted a commercial cargo ship transiting the same waterway.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described the strikes as a “powerful response” to the earlier maritime attack.
In a statement, CENTCOM said, “U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack.”
“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,” the statement added.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces continue to provide safe-passage coordination and support for commercial vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass.
“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,” CENTCOM said. The command also released a 37-second video showing the airstrikes.
Although CENTCOM did not disclose the precise locations of the strikes, Iranian state television, citing a correspondent in Sirik, reported that an explosion was heard late Friday at Taherouyeh Pier in the southern port city. The broadcaster quoted an informed military source who said the blast was caused by a projectile impact.
Reacting to the escalating tensions, U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned that Iran would face “violence” if it launched further attacks.
“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,” Vance wrote in a post on X, referring to the memorandum of understanding intended to halt nearly four months of conflict in the Middle East.
Shortly after the U.S. military action, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any further attacks would provoke a stronger response.
“If the aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this,” the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement broadcast by Iranian state television on Telegram.
U.S. President Donald Trump also condemned the reported drone strike on the commercial vessel, describing it as a “foolish” violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said, “One of the drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive cargo-carrying ship,” while noting that three additional drones had been intercepted.
“Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” Trump added.
The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran formally took effect on April 8, although intermittent hostilities have continued, including attacks on commercial shipping and retaliatory U.S. military strikes.
The latest escalation comes despite recent diplomatic efforts. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian previously signed a 14-point agreement on June 17 aimed at ending the conflict. The framework calls for an immediate halt to military operations, including those in Lebanon, and commits both governments to pursuing a comprehensive resolution within 60 days. The two countries also recently concluded their first round of diplomatic talks in Switzerland. (ANI)
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