U.S. Central Command announced it struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar installations, in retaliation for an Iranian drone attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Ever Lovely in the Strait of Hormuz. The command said the drone strike violated a ceasefire and endangered freedom of navigation.
In a statement at 23:39 Jerusalem, U.S. Central Command confirmed it struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar installations in the area of Sirik Island, southern Iran. The operation was retaliation for an Iranian suicide drone attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Ever Lovely in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, which CENTCOM called a clear violation of the ceasefire. The strikes were first cited in a series of CENTCOM announcements that The Zioneer reported at 23:41, 23:43, and 23:46 Jerusalem Friday evening.
This confirmation consolidates earlier reports. At 18:54 and 18:55 Jerusalem Friday, The Zioneer reported President Trump calling the drone attack a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire. At 23:41 Jerusalem, The Zioneer noted U.S. military confirmation of strikes near the Strait. By 23:43 Jerusalem, CENTCOM specified the target area as Sirik Island. A separate article at 23:46 Jerusalem provided broader context on the retaliation. The strike cycle follows weeks of Strait of Hormuz incidents: On June 7, CENTCOM downed two Iranian drones there. On June 13, CENTCOM intercepted Iranian suicide drones targeting commercial ships. A broader U.S. operation concluded June 9.
As The Zioneer reported on June 9, CENTCOM concluded offensive strikes near the Strait after neutralizing Iranian air defenses. That episode followed the downing of a U.S. helicopter and unverified Iranian claims of retaliatory hits on U.S. bases. The current strikes mark a further escalation in the strategic waterway.
No damage assessment has been released. Iran has not formally responded to this specific round of strikes.
3 developments
- ConfirmedCENTCOM intercepts Iranian suicide drones targeting commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingUS CENTCOM Downs Two Iranian Drones in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingUS shot down two Iranian drones after attempted strike on ships in Hormuz, Fox News reports
- StrongCENTCOM completes additional precision strikes across Iran
Source and signal
- Internal intake