• IRGC warns of ‘broader response’ as Vance says ‘violence will be met with violence’
• Iran strikes US targets in Bahrain as US military pummels ‘missile and drone’ sites
• Tehran says 22 Iranian crew seized by US handed over to its officials in Pakistan
• Dar speaks to Araghchi over fresh confrontation; UK diplomat lauds Islamabad’s role

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz came to a boil on Saturday as Iran and the US traded fresh strikes after a cargo vessel in the strait came under fire — the first time since the signing of an interim peace deal by Tehran and Washington to end the four months of war.

The latest round of attacks was triggered by a drone attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which the US president dubbed a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement. Hours later, the US forces struck Iranian targets in the vicinity of the strait, which prompted Iran to attack Bahrain, housing the US Navy’s regional headquarters.

Iran subsequently accused the United States of violating the peace deal. These “brutal attacks, which targeted Iranian coastal surveillance facilities, are a blatant violation” of the memorandum of understanding to end the war, the Iranian foreign ministry said. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said they had struck US sites in the Gulf region in retaliation and that “if the aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this”, according to a Telegram post by state TV.

Bahrain’s foreign ministry said the country was targeted by several Iranian drones early Saturday, condemning the attacks and accusing Tehran of “sabotaging peace efforts”. It said the attacks violated the Islamabad MoU.

On the US strikes, Iranian state television, citing a reporter in the southern city of Sirik, said an explosion was heard at a pier there late Friday. It quoted a military source saying a “projectile impact” in the area caused the blast. “Sirik Port is operating normally, and no damage has been reported to its equipment or facilities,” Mehr news agency later said.

US Central Command (Centcom) said the strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar positions, were a response to “unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces” that “clearly violated the ceasefire”. It described the operation as “a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz”.

US President Donald Trump had earlier denounced what he described as an Iranian drone strike on the vessel, saying “this is a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement”. Vice President JD Vance issued a direct warning, posting on X that “violence will be met with violence” if Iran carries out any further attacks.

Another tanker attacked

On Saturday, another tanker was reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, Britain’s maritime security agency said.

UKMTO maritime security agency said the tanker hit on Saturday had sustained damage to its bridge, with all crew reported safe. The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by a coalition of navies protecting shipping, said it had raised its security threat level as a result of recent incidents.

Iran has not directly commented on reports of specific attacks on ships. But Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guards had fired “warning shots” towards unspecified vessels attempting to pass through channels not approved by Iran, and that this was now prompting other ships to seek Iranian permits before attempting to cross the strait.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, said on Saturday that any violation of Iran’s shipping instructions would be met decisively.

As has regularly been the case throughout the war, the escalation unfolded over the weekend while markets were closed, giving the sides two days to stake out tough positions and exchange fire without causing any immediate oil price impact.

Previously, including the last two weekends, bitter words on Friday and Saturday were followed by more ameliorative positions from both sides in time for markets to reopen on Monday.

Iranian crew members to go home

Moreover, Tehran said Friday that 22 Iranian crew members whose oil tanker had been seized by the United States during the recent conflict had been transferred to Iran’s consulate in Pakistan. The state news agency IRNA reported that the crew were handed over to Iranian diplomats in Karachi and were expected to return to Iran in the coming days.

As tensions flared up over the Hormuz strait, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its constructive role for achieving the goal of lasting peace and stability in the region. FM Araghchi expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s continued support in advancing the peace process.

He also thanked Pakistan for facilitating the safe and smooth repatriation of Iranian crew members and fishermen to their homeland, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. Both sides also agreed to remain in close contact. FM Dar spoke to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Ms Cooper reiterated the UK’s appreciation for Pakistan’s sustained efforts for peace and stability in the region, which led to the signing of the Islamabad MoU to end the hostilities.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026