Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces opened fire on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, in what the United States described as a direct breach of a fragile ceasefire agreement reached just days earlier.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an IRGC gunboat approached a container ship in the narrow waterway and fired multiple rounds, causing heavy damage to the vessel’s bridge. A second cargo ship was targeted shortly afterward in the same area. No injuries or fatalities were immediately reported, and there were no signs of fire or oil spills, maritime authorities said. Both ships were able to continue under their own power after the attacks.
The incidents occurred hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire to allow time for diplomatic talks, reportedly mediated with Pakistani assistance. The truce had been intended to de-escalate tensions stemming from the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and broader regional conflicts.U.S. officials immediately condemned the attacks as a clear violation.
“This is a total violation of our ceasefire agreement,” President Trump said in a statement. “Iran decided to fire bullets instead of coming to the table. They will not like the consequences if this continues.
”Pentagon officials echoed the president’s remarks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that the U.S. views the strikes as “an act of aggression that undermines the entire diplomatic process” and warned that American forces remain on high alert in the region.Iranian officials offered a sharply different account, framing the actions as defensive measures.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking earlier this week on regional developments, had already signaled Tehran’s position: “The United States’ so-called ‘blockade’ of Iran’s ports and coastline is not only a violation of the Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but is unlawful and criminal.
“Vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without proper coordination were given repeated warnings,” said a statement from IRGC-affiliated media outlet Nour News. “Necessary action was taken when they ignored instructions and appeared to be cooperating with hostile forces amid the illegal U.S. blockade.”
”The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass daily. Even brief disruptions have historically sent shockwaves through energy markets. Shipping data showed a sharp drop in traffic through the strait in recent days amid the ongoing blockade and heightened tensions.
Analysts say the latest attacks could complicate efforts to restart broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed the ceasefire extension, calling it a window for “unified proposals” to end the standoff.
No further details on the identity of the targeted ships or their flags have been released by maritime authorities.
The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in nearby Bahrain, has not yet commented on any direct response to Wednesday’s incidents.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides trading accusations as diplomats scramble to prevent a full resumption of hostilities in the Gulf.
