**Title: US and Iran Exchange Strikes Amid Ceasefire Violations Claims**
**Date: June 28, 2026**
Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated over the weekend as both nations conducted military strikes against each other, raising concerns about the stability of a recent ceasefire agreement. The conflict reignited following a series of drone attacks and retaliatory strikes, undermining efforts to secure peace in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
On Friday, June 27, the US military launched airstrikes targeting Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar sites, in response to a drone attack on the M/V Ever Lovely, a commercial vessel. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that these strikes were part of a broader response to Iranian aggression in the region.
The situation intensified on Saturday when Iranian forces reportedly targeted the Panama-flagged M/T Kiku oil tanker while it was navigating near the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, US navy and air force jets struck military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying capabilities in Iran. CENTCOM indicated that these actions were taken after Iran failed to honor the ceasefire agreement established earlier in June.
In a statement, CENTCOM noted, "After yesterday’s U.S. strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to." The command also released unclassified footage on social media, purportedly showing the strikes on Iranian military installations.
The Iranian government responded sharply to the US actions. Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, criticized the US for its military response, claiming it demonstrated a lack of commitment to negotiation and the ceasefire. Azizi stated on social media that the US's actions would lead to "retreat and regret on their part."
In the wake of the US strikes, Iranian forces conducted missile and drone attacks targeting US infrastructure in Bahrain and Kuwait, further escalating the conflict. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied having a direct communication line with the US, despite ongoing tensions.
The renewed hostilities have cast significant doubt on the provisional peace deal signed earlier in June, which aimed to establish a ceasefire and ensure the security of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies. Under the terms of the agreement, the US was expected to lift its naval blockade of Iran, while Tehran was required to reopen the Strait and reaffirm its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. The two nations had a 60-day window to finalize the deal.
As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring the escalating conflict, with fears that further military actions could destabilize the region and disrupt global oil markets. The US and Iran's ongoing exchanges of strikes highlight the fragility of diplomatic efforts and the potential for a broader confrontation in the Gulf.