Trump blames Iran for 'foolish' strike on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump condemned Iran's "foolish violation" of a ceasefire agreement after a drone strike hit a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident, which occurred off Oman on Thursday, involved the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, owned by Taiwan-based Evergreen Marine. The ship suffered damage to its upper deck but was able to continue its journey, and no crew members were injured.

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One of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship. Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way.

Trump announced the strike on Truth Social, calling it a "foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement." While Iran has not claimed responsibility, two U.S. officials speaking anonymously to Reuters indicated that Iran was behind the attack. This event unfolds at a critical juncture, as the U.S. and Iran are in the midst of negotiating an interim peace deal.

The fragile situation is governed by a 60-day memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. This agreement includes lifting naval blockades and ensuring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz while longer-term negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief proceed. The Ever Lovely had taken a southern route along the Omani coast, deviating from corridors designated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which had previously demanded commercial vessels coordinate directly with the Iranian Navy.

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Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.

The attack has halted International Maritime Organization (IMO) efforts to escort stranded vessels out of the Gulf. Iran had previously expressed anger over a statement by the U.S. and six Gulf states, which it deemed "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative." Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi argued that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed without considering Iran's role as a coastal state. The IRGC has denied that a direct communication line was established between Tehran and Washington regarding the strait.

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safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed under ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes or decision-making that does not take Iran’s role as a coastal state into account.