US and Iran Exchange Fresh Strikes, Threatening Fragile Ceasefire Deal

The United States and Iran have exchanged fresh military strikes, threatening an early ceasefire deal. Washington accused Tehran on Friday (26/6) of violating the truce by attacking a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the American response targeted Iranian missile storage and drone sites, as well as coastal radar positions. “This was a decisive response to yesterday’s unprovoked aggression by Iranian forces against commercial shipping, which was a clear violation of the ceasefire,” CENTCOM announced.

Iranian state television, citing a reporter in Sirik, reported that an explosion was heard at midnight on Friday at the Taherouyeh pier in the southern part of the port city. A local military source attributed the blast to a projectile strike in the area.

US President Donald Trump condemned what he described as an Iranian drone attack on a cargo vessel. “This is clearly a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement,” he stated. Vice President JD Vance also issued a stern warning via social media platform X, asserting that “violence will be met with violence” should Iran launch further attacks.

Minutes later, on Saturday morning Tehran time, Iranian state television reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had targeted several US bases in the Gulf region in retaliation for the recent American strikes. “If aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this,” the IRGC warned.

This exchange of fire raises new questions about efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open amid ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran aimed at reaching a final settlement to the war that began on 28 February.