“The Islamic Republic of Iran launched at least four One Way Attack Drones at ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz,” US President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social, Friday.
Trump went on to say one of the drones hit the upper deck of a Cargo Ship, causing damage, but the ship was reportedly able to ‘proceed on its way.’
“We knocked down three other drones,” Trump stated, and called the attack a foolish violation of the current ceasefire agreement.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the cargo vessel was hit on its starboard side by an unidentified projectile on Thursday, damaging the bridge. No casualties or environmental impact have been reported as a result of the attack.
Will the US repsond to the attack?
Trump did not specify how or whether the United States might respond to the attack, which marks the first such incident since he announced last week that he had signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the war with Iran.
Tensions have remained high, even as initial meetings regarding the MoU have progressed. The attack occurred just hours after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) stated that vessels would only receive safe passage through Iranian routes in the strait, according to a CNN report, contradicting the Trump administration’s assertion that the waterway is once again free and open.
Earlier this week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran's missiles were not included in the MoU signed with the US and "will never be." This comment was made during a joint news conference with Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, in Islamabad.
Pezeshkian further emphasized, “Iran will never negotiate its defense capabilities with any country and strongly believes that regional peace and stability can only be achieved through honest discussions and intraregional cooperation.”