The United States carried out another round of military strikes on Iran on Saturday, marking the second straight day of military action. The strikes came after a Panama-flagged oil tanker, M/T Kiku, was hit by a drone while passing near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns about security in one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were ordered by President Donald Trump after Iran allegedly violated a ceasefire agreement signed just two weeks ago. The US said Iran had been given an opportunity to respect the agreement but instead launched a drone attack on the tanker, which was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.
Reuters, quoting Iranian media, reported that explosions were heard on Sirik Island in southern Iran. Reports also said US projectiles struck a village on Qeshm Island, both located near the Strait of Hormuz.
Why did the US launch fresh strikes?
CENTCOM said US aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar sites. The military described the operation as a direct response to Iran’s latest attack on commercial shipping.
The latest action follows another US strike carried out a day earlier after the cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely was attacked while passing through the same region.
What warning did Donald Trump issue?
Soon after the operation, President Donald Trump posted a strong message on Truth Social. He said Iran had violated the ceasefire agreement again and warned that if such actions continued, the United States could launch even larger military operations.
Trump added that if Iran failed to stop its attacks, the Islamic Republic of Iran “will no longer exist.” US Vice President JD Vance also warned that any further violence from Tehran would be met with a military response.
How has Iran responded?
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched attacks on several US military positions in the region in retaliation. However, no official details have been released about the locations or the extent of the damage.
First published on: Jun 28, 2026 06:44 AM IST
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About the Author
Shivam Verma
Shivam Verma is a Chief-Sub-Editor at News24. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football, both playing and watching, and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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