K-Points

U.S. Strikes Iran; Iran Responds with Retaliatory Attacks

The United States launched strikes on Saturday against Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar positions, following accusations that Tehran had attacked a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command described the strikes as a "powerful response" to the June 25 attack on the commercial vessel M/V Ever Lovely.

According to a statement from Central Command: "U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran's attack."

U.S. Central Command did not disclose the location of the strikes. Meanwhile, Iranian state television, citing a reporter in Sirik, reported that an explosion was heard late Friday at the Taherouyeh pier in the southern port city. The outlet quoted an informed military source as saying the blast was caused by a projectile impact in the area.

Soon after the U.S. strikes, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they had attacked American sites in the Gulf region. "If the aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this," the Guards warned.

The IRGC Navy further stated that the United States had sought to undermine its commitments under a recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two sides "through various provocations."

"It has now received the necessary response," the statement added, referring to the force's retaliatory action. "The same will apply to any future violations," it continued.

"If this aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this."

The signing of the MoU followed a ceasefire announced on April 7 by U.S. President Donald Trump, which came after the latest round of what Iran described as unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.