US Conducts Second Strike on Iran in Response to Freighter Attack

The United States has carried out a second retaliatory strike against Iranian targets, according to the U.S. military's regional command, Centcom. The operation on Saturday evening reportedly hit multiple sites, including air defense positions, drone storage facilities, and surveillance infrastructure.

Centcom stated the strikes were a direct response to an Iranian attack on a freighter. This marks the second U.S. military action against Iran since a framework agreement was signed between the two nations in mid-June. Just the previous night, the U.S. had reported attacking Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar installations.

Those earlier strikes were also framed as a reaction to an attack on a cargo ship on Thursday. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a freighter was hit by an unknown projectile on Thursday, though the exact circumstances remained unclear. The "New York Times," citing a U.S. official, identified the vessel as the Panamanian-flagged tanker "Kiku," which had departed Qatar on Thursday bound for the United Arab Emirates.

Iranian state media, Irib, reported hearing explosions in a village near the city of Sirik on Saturday night, with subsequent reports indicating projectiles struck a communication tower.