US President Donald Trump stated that the drone attack breached the ceasefire. The military strikes followed shortly after Trump hinted to reporters, “You’ll find out,” regarding a potential US response.
According to US Central Command, the military targeted missile and drone sites, as well as coastal radar installations in Iran.
“I’m not pleased that they took a shot yesterday, actually four of them,” Trump remarked at the White House just before the US counteraction. When questioned about the strikes despite claims of successful negotiations with Tehran, Trump commented on Iran, “They’re a little bit different.” He then abruptly ended the press conference, prompting reporters to leave his office.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, addressed Trump on social media earlier that day, asserting, “The Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran, so: Respect the rules” and advised against “mistaking control for escalation.” Azizi further claimed, “This is not a violation of the ceasefire; it is ceasefire management.”
The reality in the Persian Gulf has changed.
The Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran, so:
Respect the rules.
Use secure routes.
Do not mistake control for escalation.If you do not learn the rules, the Iranian armed forces will teach them to you.
This is not a violation of… pic.twitter.com/eQMIEv7zRt
— ابراهیم عزیزی (@Ebrahimazizi33) June 26, 2026
Also Read: Trump says Iran launched drones at ships in Strait of Hormuz, violated ceasefireStrikes conclude an hour later
The US military action against Iran wrapped up approximately one hour after US Central Command disclosed the operation on social media, according to a US official familiar with the situation. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity while discussing an ongoing military operation.
The British military reported on Thursday, June 25, that a container ship was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman shortly after Iran issued warnings to vessels against using the route. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center noted that no injuries were reported.
This incident occurred during a delicate period for US-Iran negotiations aimed at securing a permanent end to the war. Iran has increasingly asserted its influence in the region regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, even amidst the recent interim agreement reached with the US.
The drone attack on the cargo ship coincided with a United Nations maritime agency’s initiative to relocate stranded vessels from the strait this week via an alternative route that hugs Oman’s shores rather than passing through the strait’s central area.
The International Maritime Organisation suspended evacuations post-attack and indicated on Friday, June 26, that they will not resume until there are assurances that other ships will be unharmed.
About 115 ships managed to exit the strait in recent days, leaving roughly 500 still in the vicinity, according to Arsenio Dominguez, the agency’s secretary-general.
The initiation of the alternative route through the strait was anticipated to ease pressure on the global economy and diminish Iran’s primary leverage in the ongoing peace discussions with the US.
Also Read: Israel, Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says
Negotiations continue between the US and Iran to finalize the deal, covering key issues like ensuring safe passage for ships through the strait and the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the interim agreement, both sides have a 60-day timeline to sort out the specifications.
Cargo ship attack poses a test for shipping
Shipping experts commented that the drone strike overshadowed what had been a burgeoning flow of trapped vessels finally departing the Gulf, along with an increasing number of tankers transporting crude oil.
“The past week had seen growing commercial confidence in the Strait of Hormuz face its first substantial test,” stated marine data company Windward on X. It noted that while the strait remains operationally open with 43 transits reported after the incident, “the momentum towards normalization has decelerated.” On Wednesday, June 23, 78 vessels transited the strait, marking the highest daily traffic since the conflict began, though still below the pre-war averages of over 130.
Strait of Hormuz transits stand at 40 today (28 outbound, 12 inbound), with the southern corridor capturing 27 total movements. Outbound flows are dominated by 17 tankers and 7 bulk carriers, tracking 6.9M bbl of oil and products, per @Vortexa.
Notably, one center-corridor… pic.twitter.com/owVfFJTslB
— Windward (@WindwardAI) June 26, 2026
At least two tankers reversed course while trying to pass through the strait’s UN-supported route near Oman after Iran insisted that vessels follow only Tehran-approved routes, as noted by marine data and analytics firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
More than two dozen ships continued to travel through the southern route of the strait after the attack, according to Lloyd’s on Friday, June 26.
Lebanon and Israel make a step toward peace
On Friday, June 26, ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon announced an agreement described as a stride toward peace following months of conflict between Israeli forces and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Nada Hamadeh, Lebanon’s ambassador to the US, characterized the framework as a shift toward “enabling our people to return to their land and allowing all Lebanese to live in peace, security, and prosperity.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heralded the plan as a “great achievement” for Israel.
“The most crucial point, first and foremost, is that Israel will maintain its position in the security zone in southern Lebanon,” he affirmed, adding that they would remain until Hezbollah is disarmed and no longer threatens Israel.
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