US and Iran agree to halt attacks after new airstrikes.

US and Iran agree to halt attacks after new airstrikes.

After the United States struck Iranian coastal targets in response to attacks on commercial ships, the two sides once again agreed to cease further hostilities ahead of new talks.

The United States and Iran say they have once again agreed to cease hostilities following recent mutual attacks. Reuters and Axios. The new ceasefire comes ahead of new talks between the two sides, expected on June 30, 2026.

An official said, “Technical negotiations on all areas of the MOU will continue,” adding, “For the time being, both parties will resign and the ship will be able to move freely.”

Attack on M/V Ever Lovely and US response

June 25, Singapore-flagged container ship M/V Everly While exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the coast of Oman, he was hit by an Iranian unilateral attack drone. The ship was the first to be attacked since the start of a 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said, “Iran’s unprovoked attack on a commercial vessel was a clear violation of the ceasefire.” Moreover, Iran’s dangerous actions have undermined freedom of navigation as commerce flows through increasingly important international trade corridors.”

U.S. President Donald Trump said at least four Iranian one-way attack drones targeted merchant ships, adding that U.S. forces intercepted three. CENTCOM has not commented publicly on this, but U.S. officials quoted by several media outlets confirmed the president’s account.

In response, the U.S. military conducted airstrikes targeting military targets on the southern coast of Iran on June 26, 2026. According to CENTCOM, U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and one-way attack drone storage facilities as well as coastal radar stations.

CENTCOM described the operation as a “robust response” to an unprovoked attack. However, the order did not provide any additional details. Air Force and Space Force MagazineCiting sources familiar with the operation, it reported that six U.S. warplanes attacked four targets along Iran’s southern coastline.

Iran’s retaliation and new US airstrikes

Iran rejected the U.S. analysis of the events, accusing the U.S. of first violating the interim peace agreement. Iranian officials described the subsequent military action as a “defensive” response to the U.S. attack.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that it could “block and thwart the attack,” and the U.S. military had no choice but to retreat during the operation. No evidence was provided to substantiate the claims, with the IRGC promising retaliation.

Iranian state media reported that the IRGC targeted sites associated with U.S. forces in the region following U.S. airstrikes. Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters is located, announced that an Iranian drone had entered Bahrain’s airspace and condemned the attack as a violation of the memorandum.

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A U.S. Air Force F-16 flies over the U.S. Central Command area of ​​responsibility. The F-16 is one of more than 100 land and sea aircraft supporting Project Freedom. (Image source: U.S. Air Force photo)

Likewise, the Kuwaiti military said its air defenses had been activated to counter Iranian missile and drone attacks and that at least two ballistic missiles had been intercepted. The largest U.S. facility in the country is Ali Al Salem Air Base, which also houses the Kuwaiti Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.

Iranian media also reported that the IRGC navy fired “warning shots” at ships reportedly using routes not approved by Tehran. However, the Panama-flagged tanker M/T KikuA passenger ship carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil was attacked by an Iranian one-way attack drone on June 27.

The United States then responded with new airstrikes targeting Iran’s military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense bases, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying facilities. CENTCOM said U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets struck a total of 10 military targets at multiple locations in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

A U.S. official said, “This is a larger strike than last night.” ‘Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin. “Iran had the opportunity to stop shooting, but did not take it. Instead, it attacked another ship, the MT Kiku, in Hormuz this morning.”

Same target attacked again

After the U.S. airstrikes, reports said some of the Iranian targets hit by U.S. jets had already been hit during airstrikes against Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury. The explanation given by officials was that Iran had repaired damage from previous airstrikes.

“I asked a senior Pentagon official why the United States had to attack again these areas that had been attacked several times since the war began on February 28th.” ‘Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin on

Some targets were later geolocated using video and open source imagery released by CENTCOM. Among them was a communications tower at a coastal radar station.

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising again

This exchange between the United States and Iran took place as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which had been suspended for several months, gradually resumed.

Iran has sought to exert increasing control over shipping routes through the strait, insisting that ships must follow transit corridors designated by Tehran. Iranian officials have warned that safe navigation cannot be guaranteed for ships that do not follow these guidelines.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to support an alternative southern transportation route along Oman’s coastline. Officials reiterated that U.S. forces remain committed to protecting commercial navigation through one of the world’s most strategically important maritime gateways.

Apache Down Hormuz
AH-64 Apache helicopter patrols the Strait of Hormuz. In fact, the photos released by CENTCOM were probably taken because the aircraft entered the area rather than over somewhere off the coast of Oman or the UAE. (Image source: CENTCOM)

fragile truce

The exchange marks the most significant military escalation since Washington and Tehran signed an interim peace memorandum to end months of hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire and pledged to respond to provocations.

Vice President JD Vance said the United States had complied with the deal and warned that if Iran continued military action rather than pursue diplomatic channels, “violence will be met with violence.” President Trump also issued a similar statement.

“There may come a point when we are no longer rational and must militarily complete what we so successfully started,” Trump wrote on social media. “Then the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”

In any case, despite renewed strike exchanges, both governments have continued to publicly support negotiations to reach a broader agreement. As noted in previous reports, key points of negotiation surround Iran’s nuclear program and long-term security arrangements in the Gulf region.

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