American forces carried out additional strikes against multiple targets in iran after tehran's latest attack on a commercial ship near the strait of hormuz:merican forces carried out additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran after Tehran's latest attack on a commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Saturday. CENTCOM said its forces conducted the strikes June 27 'at the Commander in Chief's direction.'
According to Anadolu Agency, the strikes were a response to an Iranian attack involving a one-way drone that hit the M/T Kiku, a Panama-flagged tanker, as it was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil at the time of the attack.
CENTCOM stated that Iran had been given an opportunity to honor a ceasefire agreement following prior US strikes in response to an Iranian attack on another commercial vessel, the M/V Ever Lovely. However, Iran chose not to adhere to the ceasefire.
'CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping,' the command said. The US military targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.
The command further noted that commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue and emphasized that US forces remain vigilant and ready to respond to further threats.
US-based news outlet Axios had previously reported, citing a US official, about the ongoing strikes on Iranian targets in response to the aggression near the Strait of Hormuz. Similarly, Fox News, citing a senior US defense official, reported that Iran had reconstituted its air defense and missile systems in the region after a previous US bombing campaign ended on April 7. The official highlighted that areas such as Qeshm Island and Sirik, which had been targeted in the past, required renewed military action due to Iran's reconstitution of defense capabilities.