The United States launched military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to multiple reports, after Iran allegedly attacked commercial vessels transiting the strategically vital waterway.
The reported military action came hours after President Donald Trump condemned what he described as Iranian drone attacks in the Strait, accusing Tehran of violating a ceasefire agreement.
Earlier Friday, Trump criticized the reported attacks in a statement, calling them “a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.”
The reported U.S. strikes were carried out in response to what officials described as Iran’s breach of the memorandum of understanding and ceasefire, as well as attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Fox News senior national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported that U.S. military operations had already begun.
“Senior US official tells me US military has begun striking Iranian targets in response to Iranian breach of MOU and ceasefire and attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” Griffin reported.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages, and the reported attacks on commercial vessels prompted the U.S. military response described by officials.
The reported strikes mark the latest escalation following allegations that Iran violated the existing ceasefire agreement through attacks on shipping and drone operations in the region.
Earlier in the day, President Trump publicly condemned the reported Iranian actions, characterizing them as a direct breach of the ceasefire agreement.
Calling the reported drone attacks a “foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” Trump signaled that the administration viewed the incidents as a serious escalation.
According to Griffin’s reporting, a senior U.S. official confirmed that American forces had begun targeting Iranian positions in response to those actions.
The official said the strikes were launched because of Iran’s alleged breach of the memorandum of understanding and ceasefire, as well as the reported attacks on commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
As of Friday, reports indicated the military operation was underway following the reported attacks on shipping in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The reported strikes followed the administration’s public condemnation of Iran’s actions and represent the latest development in the dispute surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the ceasefire agreement.
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