The fragile interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under renewed pressure Saturday after U.S. Central Command said American forces carried out additional strikes on Iranian targets following a reported tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said a Panama-flagged tanker was hit by an Iranian drone, damaging the ship’s bridge but leaving the crew safe, according to maritime security agencies. The U.S. military described its response as targeting Iranian surveillance, communications, air defence, drone storage and mine-laying facilities. Iranian state media later reported explosions near Sirik in southern Iran, but provided few details.
The incident followed another reported attack on a cargo ship Thursday, which had already prompted U.S. retaliation. Both Washington and Tehran accuse the other of breaching the interim agreement reached two weeks ago to halt a four-month conflict. U.S. Vice-President JD Vance said Iran could raise disputes through diplomatic channels but warned that “violence will be met with violence.” Iranian officials said U.S. actions and support for regional allies violated the deal.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute. Hundreds of vessels, including oil tankers, had been stuck in the Gulf during the conflict. As shipping resumed, oil prices declined toward pre-war levels. The United States has promoted a route near Oman, while Iran wants ships to use a northern lane through Iranian-controlled waters and has suggested fees for passage.
Regional tensions also continue in Lebanon, where a U.S.-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework has drawn competing reactions. Israel says it preserves a security zone in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has rejected the arrangement. Reports of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon added to concerns that linked conflicts could further test the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Bahrain also reported an Iranian drone attack and said recent actions breached the memorandum, underscoring broader security risks facing Gulf states.