America in the Middle East

STRAIT PAYBACK: U.S. Pounds Iranian Drone Sites After Shipping Attack

posted by Hannity Staff - 6.26.26

The U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military targets Friday after Tehran attacked a commercial cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Central Command describing the operation as a “powerful response” to what it called a violation of the recently negotiated ceasefire.

According to CENTCOM, American warplanes struck Iranian drone storage facilities and coastal radar installations used to support attacks on commercial shipping after Iranian forces targeted the M/V Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, on Thursday.

“The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

“Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor.”

The military did not immediately disclose the extent of the damage or whether any Iranian personnel were killed in the strikes.

The retaliation comes less than a day after Iran allegedly launched a drone attack against the cargo ship while it was transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints for oil and commercial trade.

Following Thursday’s incident, international concerns mounted over the security of commercial vessels moving through the waterway despite the ceasefire agreement reached after months of regional conflict.

CENTCOM said U.S. forces will continue escorting and coordinating the safe passage of merchant vessels through the strait.

“CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait,” the statement said.

“The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect.”

This story is developing…