US, Iran trade fresh strikes near Strait of Hormuz over weekend amid ceasefire

The United States said it struck Iranian radar and drone control sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island over the weekend. The action, linked by Washington to the downing of a US MQ-1 drone, marked a fresh rise in tensions despite a ceasefire.

In Short

• Strikes followed downing of US MQ-1 drone over international waters
• US destroyed Iranian air defence systems and ground control station
• Iran's IRGC hit a US-linked air base near Sirik Island in retaliation

Tensions in the Gulf remained high despite an ongoing ceasefire, as the United States said it carried out what it called "self-defence strikes" on Iranian radar and drone command-and-control facilities in Goruk and on Qeshm Island over the weekend. The latest military action has unfolded even as diplomatic efforts continue to avoid a wider confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

The exchange comes against the backdrop of rising strain around the Strait of Hormuz and follows several military incidents between the two countries in recent weeks. Both the US and Iran have accused each other of breaching the fragile ceasefire that has largely been in place since April.

In a statement, the US Central Command said the strikes were conducted on Saturday and Sunday in response to what it described as "aggressive Iranian actions". It said these included the downing of a US MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters.

CENTCOM said US fighter aircraft destroyed Iranian air defence systems, a ground control station and two one-way attack drones, which it said posed a threat to ships moving through regional waters. It also said no American service personnel were injured in the operation.

"CENTCOM will continue to protect US assets and interests in response to unwarranted Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire," it said in a post on X.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, meanwhile, said its aerospace force had struck an air base allegedly connected to a US operation near Sirik Island. In its statement, the IRGC said the move was in response to what it described as a US attack on a telecommunications tower on the island. It did not reveal the location of the air base it said had been targeted.

The latest exchange has added to concerns over stability in the Gulf, with both sides trading accusations even as the ceasefire remains in place and diplomatic channels stay active in an effort to prevent a broader escalation.

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