Trump accuses Iran of ceasefire breach after Strait of Hormuz attack

What Happened

On Thursday, the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely was struck by an unknown projectile 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit while following the UKMTO-recommended route through the Strait of Hormuz. The attack caused limited damage and no casualties, according to the ship’s owner, Evergreen, and the vessel later safely transited the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of launching four drones at traversing ships and said the U.S. ‘knocked down’ three, while one hit the upper deck. He called the incident a ‘foolish violation’ of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire agreement. The attack followed an IRGC warning that crossing the strait via the IMO-designated route was ‘unacceptable and completely dangerous’ and that vessels must coordinate with Iran. Iranian state media also reported IRGC assertions that the strait is Iran’s territory. In response, the IMO paused its planned evacuation of more than 11,000 stranded sailors; IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez said he was seeking guarantees from the U.S., Iran, and Oman before resuming.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments; any disruption risks spiking energy prices. This attack and the U.S. accusation of a ceasefire breach threaten to unravel the recent U.S.–Iran agreement that reopened the strait after earlier U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran. The IRGC’s insistence that ships coordinate only with Iran challenges internationally recognized freedom of navigation and the IMO’s evacuation framework, setting the stage for further confrontation between Iran and the U.S.–led maritime security architecture.

Watch For

The IMO’s negotiations with the U.S., Iran, and Oman over security guarantees for resuming the evacuation of stranded vessels; Iran’s direct response to Trump’s accusation; any new incidents in the Strait of Hormuz or U.S. retaliatory measures; and whether Iran proceeds with its planned maritime service fees, which conflict with the 60-day free-passage clause of the ceasefire.