The United States launched limited strikes on Iranian military targets around the Strait of Hormuz on June 26 in what it said was a response to Tehran's attack on a commercial cargo vessel, but the operation does not signal a return to broader combat, according to a U.S. official speaking to CNN. 


The strikes "do not reflect a return to major combat operations, at least for now," the official told CNN, indicating Washington is seeking to enforce the recently signed ceasefire agreement rather than resume the wider conflict.


The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites after Iran struck a commercial vessel near the strategic waterway on June 25.


"US aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites," CENTCOM said. "The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire."


CENTCOM also released video footage of one of the strikes on the night of June 26.






Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later said it had targeted U.S. military positions in the region in retaliation, according to Iranian state media Press TV. The U.S. military has not confirmed those claims.


U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who played a leading role in negotiating last week's memorandum of understanding with Iran, warned that Washington would respond forcefully to further violations.


"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," Vance wrote on X alongside CENTCOM's statement. "But violence will be met with violence."


Earlier on June 26, U.S. President Donald Trump described Iran's drone strike on the commercial vessel as a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire but stopped short of indicating whether the incident would trigger a broader military response.


Asked at the White House whether Iran would face consequences, Trump replied: "You'll find out."


In a Truth Social post, Trump said Iran had launched at least four one-way attack drones at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.


"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," he wrote.


"Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way," Trump added. "We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement."


By Sabina Mammadli