Iran's 'retreat and regret' warning after US bombs its missile and drone sites

The Islamic Republic Guard Corps threatened Washington that the strikes would not go unanswered. Shortly after, it targeted several US military sites in the region.

In Short

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted US military sites in the region
• The response came after Washington launched strikes on Tehran over cargo ship attack
• The military action came minutes after Trump hinted at the US's possible move

A fresh round of tensions erupted between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday after the US launched strikes against Iran, accusing Tehran of attacking a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first direct US military response since the two sides reached a fragile memorandum of understanding in Switzerland.

Shortly after the attack, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by targeting the US military zones in the region. As per a report by Reuters, the attacks on the US sites occurred after the IRGC threatened Washington that the earlier attacks would not go unanswered and Tehran would provide a decisive answer.

The details about the military positions are yet to come out.

TRUMP HINTED ABOUT US STRIKES EARLIER

The US military action came just minutes after President Donald Trump hinted that Washington was preparing to respond to Iran's alleged actions. Asked by reporters whether the United States would retaliate, Trump replied: "You'll find out."

Shortly afterwards, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had carried out precision strikes inside Iran.

According to CENTCOM, US aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites after Iran allegedly struck the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely with a one-way attack drone on June 25.

The vessel was sailing along the Omani coast while exiting the Strait of Hormuz when it came under attack, the US military said.

CENTCOM CALLS ATTACK 'UNWARRANTED AGGRESSION'

In a statement, CENTCOM described the operation as "a powerful response" to what it called Iran's attack on commercial shipping.

"The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire," the command said.

CENTCOM also accused Tehran of undermining freedom of navigation through one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.

"The US military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect," the statement added.

The command said American forces would continue coordinating safe passage for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

VIOLENCE WILL BE MET WITH VIOLENCE, SAYS JD VANCE

Hours after tensions escalated between the two nations, US Vice President JD Vance issued a strongly worded warning, saying in a post on X that any Iranian aggression would invite US counterattacks.

"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance said.

TRUMP ACCUSED IRAN OF BREAKING CEASEFIRE

Hours before the military operation, Trump also blamed Tehran for launching multiple one-way attacks on commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. He said one drone struck the upper deck of a cargo vessel, causing damage but allowing the ship to continue its voyage.

Calling the incident a 'foolish violation' of the ceasefire agreement, Trump threatened that Iran would face consequences but did not initially reveal what action Washington planned to take.

The US military announcement later confirmed that the strikes were launched in direct response to the alleged drone attack. Soon after CENTCOM announced the operation, Iranian media reported that a projectile had struck the area around a pier in the southern port city of Sirik.

Iranian outlets, citing a military source, also said warning shots had been fired earlier in the day toward what they described as "violating vessels" in the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest escalation has once again placed the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of global attention. The narrow waterway carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, making any disruption a major concern for international shipping and energy markets.

IRAN WARNS GULF STATES OVER STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The latest military exchange comes amid an escalating dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran insisting the strategic waterway should remain under regional oversight following last week's memorandum of understanding with the United States.

After Thursday's attack on the M/V Ever Lovely, Iran warned Gulf states against aligning with Washington as tensions over maritime security deepened. Trump blamed Tehran for the drone strike, saying it breached the ceasefire understanding reached between the two sides.

Iran also condemned a joint statement issued by the US and six Gulf states rejecting its assertion that it could levy tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran described the statement as "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative."

"Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed under ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes or decision-making that does not take Iran's role as a coastal state into account," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Commission, accused the United States of attacking Iran in the midst of negotiations, saying it was another example of Washington acting in bad faith. In a post on X, Azizi said the "failed US President" had shown no commitment to the principles of negotiations or a ceasefire, and warned that what he described as a reckless violation of the ceasefire would ultimately lead to "retreat and regret" for the United States.

Adding to the uncertainty, Bloomberg News reported that Oman had informed allies that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz may eventually have to pay transit fees.

Iranian state television also reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had warned off three foreign tankers attempting what it described as an "unauthorised passage" through the strait. The report did not identify the vessels or provide further details.

Even as tensions mounted in the Gulf, there was a separate diplomatic breakthrough elsewhere in the region. Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered framework agreement aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The agreement envisions Hezbollah's eventual disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon, though it remains unclear how those provisions will be implemented. Hezbollah has already rejected the agreement and said it will not cooperate.

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters