The United States launched strikes against Iran a day after an attack on a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a round of exchanges that threatens the fragile ceasefire between the two countries. U.S. military aircraft struck Iran's missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar installations on Friday, U.S. Central Command said, calling the operation "a forceful response to yesterday's attack."
On Thursday, the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged container ship, was attacked and damaged by what the United States said was an Iranian unidirectional attack drone. The incident angered U.S. President Donald Trump, who said earlier on Friday: "I don't like the fact that they launched an attack."
"They shouldn't be doing this," Trump told reporters at the White House.
Since signing a 60-day ceasefire deal last week, Trump has said the United States would resume military operations if Iran violates the terms of the deal. The deal provides for sanctions relief in exchange for allowing ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and negotiating Iran's nuclear program.
The question now is how much a resumption of military strikes will slow down the return of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels. Washington and Tehran managed to reach an interim peace deal last week despite attacks on each other before the deal was finalized.