26/06/2026
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26/06/2026
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WASHINGTON / TEHRAN: US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement after alleging that Iranian forces launched at least four one-way attack drones at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with one drone striking a cargo vessel.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said one of the drones hit the upper deck of a "large and very expensive cargo-carrying ship," causing damage, but allowing the vessel to continue its voyage.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote. "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 US forces intercepted the remaining three drones before they reached their targets.
"We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement," he added.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, following recent incidents involving commercial vessels. Iran has not immediately responded publicly to Trump's allegations, and the claims have not been independently verified.
Earlier, Iran launched drone attacks on civilian vessels after Oman introduced an alternative toll-free shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that Tehran viewed as undermining its control over the strategic waterway, The New York Times reported, citing an unnamed Iranian official.
According to the report, the Iranian official said Tehran regarded Oman's initiative as a direct challenge to its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest energy transit corridors.
The report said Iranian leaders concluded that the alternative transit route weakened the country's leverage over international shipping passing through the strait, prompting a decision to respond with drone attacks targeting civilian vessels.
The reported assessment comes amid growing tensions over navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has repeatedly insisted that shipping arrangements must be coordinated with Tehran. The United States and several Gulf countries, however, have called for unrestricted and toll-free navigation through the strategic waterway under international law.
The claims, based on an unnamed Iranian official cited by The New York Times, have not been independently verified.