Washington: US Vice President JD Vance on Saturday warned Iran that any future aggression would be met with force, hours after the United States carried out military strikes on Iranian targets in response to an alleged drone attack on a commercial cargo vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance defends US military action
In a post on X, Vance said the United States had honoured the ceasefire agreement with Iran and accused Tehran of violating the understanding through its actions.
“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 said.
The statement came amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran following the alleged attack on commercial shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
US strikes Iranian military sites
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar installations.
According to CENTCOM, the operation was launched in response to Iran’s alleged attack on a commercial cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Describing the action as “a powerful response”, CENTCOM said the attack on commercial shipping constituted an unwarranted act of aggression and a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
“The US military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect,” the command said.
Cargo vessel attacked near Gulf of Oman
The commercial ship reportedly came under attack near the Gulf of Oman, reigniting concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and commercial shipping passes.
The incident occurred only hours after Iran asserted its authority over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and warned vessels to avoid the southern shipping lane near Oman’s coast, a route increasingly used by commercial ships in recent weeks.
The attack also disrupted ongoing United Nations efforts aimed at helping stranded vessels leave the Persian Gulf.
Trump calls attack a ceasefire violation
US President Donald Trump described the incident as “a foolish violation” of the truce.
According to Trump, Iran launched at least four one-way attack drones at the cargo ship. He said one drone struck the vessel’s upper deck, while US forces intercepted the remaining three.
Despite sustaining damage, the ship was able to continue its voyage, he added.
Iran reaffirms authority over shipping route
Iran, however, reaffirmed on Friday that it has the right to regulate shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states against siding with Washington.
Tehran has maintained that any arrangement governing navigation through the strategic waterway must recognise its status as a coastal power with authority over the route.
The dispute over freedom of navigation remains one of several unresolved issues between the two countries.
Ceasefire negotiations face fresh challenge
The preliminary memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran outlines a framework for broader negotiations aimed at ending months of hostilities and preventing further escalation in the Middle East.
Under the agreement, both countries committed themselves to pursuing a permanent arrangement that would prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, while Washington indicated its willingness to discuss phased sanctions relief if Tehran complied with its commitments.
However, several major issues remain unresolved, including the future of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, the timeline for lifting sanctions and Tehran’s demands regarding its role in regulating shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation is likely to complicate the ongoing 60-day negotiation process and could hamper efforts to transform the preliminary agreement into a comprehensive settlement.
Conclusion
The fresh exchange of accusations and military action has once again raised tensions between the United States and Iran, threatening to derail delicate diplomatic efforts. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a vital artery for global energy supplies, any further escalation could have significant implications for regional stability and international trade.