The United States has conducted airstrikes in Iran as retaliation for yesterday's attack on a ship traversing the Strait of Hormuz in Omani waters. 

The Iranian strike, conducted as part of its effort to maintain control over the Strait despite the obligations it undertook in the Memorandum of Understanding, caused no casualties. 

Iran has insisted that any ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz must get permission first from Iran's new Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which is not recognized as a legal entity by the United States or the international community. 

https://t.co/W4zjNqnmCt

U.S. Strikes Iran in Response to Attack on Commercial Vessel

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes against Iran, June 26, as a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack.

The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire. Furthermore, Iran’s dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor.

CENTCOM forces continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait. The U.S. military remains present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect.

The situation is still developing, but as I wrote yesterday, President Trump would have to come up with some response lest he concede sovereignty and control over the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, which is trying to establish something akin to a tolling system and right to control shipping in international waters. 

Iran has been insisting that it won the war and that the United States and the world are at its mercy. It is engaged in a battle of wills, and has been since the original cease-fire was announced. 

This is just another round in that battle. 

Asked earlier if the United States would response to yesterday’s Iranian drone attack on a non-allied commercial shipping vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump said, “You’ll find out.” pic.twitter.com/ZQX883l5yN

It's likely that neither side is eager to restart full kinetic operations. The costs for both would be very high. But each side wants maximum leverage and to test the opponent's will. 

All this is happening on a 4-D chessboard, with the all-important Lebanon conflict also in play. Secretary Rubio has negotiated an agreement between Lebanon, which is eager to assert its sovereignty and independence from Iran, and Israel. 

Iran may be forced to send Hezbollah into a two-front war with both Israel and Lebanese military forces. 

If only UN peacekeeping forces were in Lebanon...oh, wait...

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