US strikes Iran again near Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire deal teeters

The United States carried out retaliatory strikes against Iran for a second consecutive day Saturday after Iranian forces attacked commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, deepening fears that a fragile ceasefire agreement between the two countries could collapse.

US Central Command said in a statement Saturday that it struck Iran "in direct response to Iran's continued attacks on commercial shipping," with US aircraft hitting Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense sites and drone storage facilities.

CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out on the orders of the commander in chief — President Donald Trump.

"After the United States struck Iran on Saturday, in retaliation for Iran's attack on the Ever Lovely, Iran was given the opportunity to comply with the ceasefire agreement," CENTCOM said. "Iran rejected this opportunity by launching a one-way attack drone at the Kikuho at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday."

CENTCOM said the Kikuho is a Panama-flagged oil tanker that was carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil when it was struck near the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM added, however, that commercial vessels continue to transit the strait. "US forces remain on alert, maintain lethal strike capability and are postured and ready," it said.

Iranian media also reported explosions near the Sirik area of Iran, close to the Strait of Hormuz. Separate reports said several projectiles struck villages on Qeshm Island in the strait.

Sunday's strikes marked the second consecutive day of US military action against Iran. On Saturday, US forces had targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities around the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Iran's attacks on commercial shipping.

Iran struck back in response. While Tehran did not specify its targets, Bahrain issued a condemnation after saying it had come under Iranian drone attack.

With the United States and Iran still exchanging military blows even as they hold a ceasefire memorandum of understanding and continue follow-on negotiations, alarm is growing that the broader peace agreement may be on the verge of falling apart.