A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran faced renewed pressure on Friday after US President Donald Trump accused Tehran of launching drone attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump alleged that one cargo ship was struck while US forces intercepted three other drones, calling the incident “a foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran launched four “one-way attack drones” targeting ships passing through the strategic waterway, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four one-way attack drones at ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote.
He further claimed that one of the drones hit the upper deck of a cargo vessel.
“One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way,” Trump said.
According to the US President, American forces successfully intercepted the remaining three drones.
“We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” he added.
Trump did not identify the vessel involved or provide details regarding possible casualties or the extent of the damage.
Iran rejects the allegations
Iran rejected key elements of the US claims. According to NourNews, a spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards dismissed reports suggesting the existence of a direct Iran-US coordination line in the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as “a complete lie.”
The spokesperson also stated that the Strait of Hormuz “is Iranian territory and has nothing to do with the US.”
Cargo ship attack raises fresh concerns
The latest accusations came a day after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel was attacked while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, in what is being viewed as the first major test of the US-Iran agreement reached last week to end months of hostilities and restore navigation through the crucial shipping lane.
According to reports by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, citing US officials, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out the attack. The reports said the strike occurred just hours after Tehran warned that vessels using routes not approved by Iran could face action.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the ship reported being struck by a projectile near Oman’s coast. The incident damaged the vessel’s bridge but caused no casualties.
Four sources later identified the vessel as the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely.
Peace deal under pressure
The reported attack has put President Donald Trump’s recently brokered peace agreement with Iran under increased scrutiny. The interim deal was intended to halt months of conflict and ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the latest developments have raised fresh questions about the future of the agreement and Washington’s response if Tehran is found to have breached its commitments.
Shortly before the reported attack, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that only ships travelling along routes approved by Tehran would be guaranteed safe passage.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), established by Iran to oversee navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, later reiterated the warning in a post on X.
The incident also prompted the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to temporarily suspend its newly launched programme designed to assist ships and seafarers leaving the Gulf safely after months of conflict.
The latest escalation has once again cast uncertainty over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, which had only recently reopened under the preliminary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
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