U.S. Central Command Strikes Iranian Targets After Drone Attack on M/V Ever Lovely in Strait of Hormuz, IRGC Says It Targeted U.S. Positions In Response

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — U.S. Central Command forces struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites on June 26 in response to an Iranian one-way attack drone strike on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely the previous day while the vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast.

The official CENTCOM release detailed the strikes as a response to the ship attack and noted that the action violated the existing ceasefire. The IRGC said that it targeted U.S. positions within the region in response.

Iranian state media, including Nour News and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), said at least three explosions heard near the coastal city of Sirik in Hormozgan Province on June 26, consistent with the targeted locations.

The attack on the vessel occurred on a new United Nations-backed route along the Omani coast. Iran had issued warnings that vessels not obeying its designated routes would be “dealt with,” according to Iranian state media.

Attack on M/V Ever Lovely

On June 25, Iranian forces hit the M/V Ever Lovely with a one-way attack drone while the ship transited the Strait of Hormuz.

The Singapore-flagged cargo vessel was exiting the strait along the Omani coast at the time. The Singapore-registered container ship EVER LOVELY sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on June 25 at about 10 p.m. Singapore Time.

All 21 crew members are safe. There are no Singaporeans onboard. The vessel is proceeding on its voyage.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will continue to remain in close contact with the vessel’s management company and provide the necessary assistance.

The ship is a container vessel built in 2015, with Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) 563033000 and call sign 9V9793.

U.S. Strikes on Iranian Targets

U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against Iran on June 26 as a response to the prior day’s attack on the commercial ship.

U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites. The details were published in the official CENTCOM public release on June 26.

The command stated that 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.

Iranian State Media Reports on IRGC Response to U.S. Strikes

Iranian state media reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated the U.S. attack on Sirik Island “will not go unanswered.”

The report attributed to the IRGC a claim that its naval and air forces “neutralized” the strike and a warning that any further “foolishness” would be met with a “harsh response.”

Iran’s state TV reported that the IRGC says its response to the fresh US attack against Iran will be “swift and decisive” and that it repelled the attack by the US against Sirik Island, which is located on the shores of the Strait of Hormuz.

The report placed the U.S. strikes on Sirik Island in Hormozgan province. No verbatim full IRGC statement text was included in the provided reporting for this specific event.

What to Watch

• Any follow-up statements or actions from the IRGC or other Iranian official channels regarding the reported neutralization claim, “swift and decisive” response, or repelling of the attack.

• Updated CENTCOM releases on strike results, ongoing maritime security operations, or changes to safe passage coordination in the Strait of Hormuz.

• Shipping advisories or incident reports from regional maritime authorities concerning vessel transits or new incidents, including updates from the Singapore MPA on the EVER LOVELY and any resumption of UN evacuation schemes.

• Any public confirmation or denial from Iranian sources of specific strike effects on Sirik Island sites.

• Iranian state media and official channels for updates on the reported explosions in Sirik and any associated statements.

• Traffic levels and route usage in the Strait of Hormuz following the slowdown and route warnings.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, June 26 statement: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes against Iran, June 26, as a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. 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. The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor. CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect.”

• No full verbatim quote from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore was published in the immediate reporting window; the authority stated minor bridge damage to the Singapore-registered container ship EVER LOVELY, safety of all 21 crew members, and that the vessel is proceeding on its voyage.

• No verbatim quote from the IRGC was available in the source material reviewed for this specific event. Iranian state media reported explosions in Sirik consistent with the strikes and carried the IRGC position on a “swift and decisive” response and repelling the attack, but did not publish a full verbatim IRGC statement in the immediate reporting window. A United Nations agency paused its voluntary scheme to evacuate ships through the Strait of Hormuz following the vessel attack.

• President Donald J. Trump statement: “The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement. President DONALD J. TRUMP”