US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of a “foolish violation” of its truce with Washington after a cargo ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz was attacked.
No casualties were reported after the ship was struck by a projectile on Thursday. In response, the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) paused its planned evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the key shipping lane.
Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to accuse Iran of shooting at least four drones at traversing ships, with one hitting.
“Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” he wrote.
Tehran has not responded directly, but Iranian state media is reporting his remarks.
The attack came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that attempts to cross the strait along a route designated by the IMO would be “unacceptable and completely dangerous” and vessels should coordinate with Iran.
Iranian state media is also reporting on Friday fresh assertions from the IRGC that the strait is Iran’s territory.
Trump said while “we knocked down” three drones, one 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,” he said.
His remarks reflect the ship’s owner’s report that limited damage had been caused and that the vessel had since safely transited the strait.
According to British maritime security agency UKMTO, the ship was struck 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit by “an unknown projectile”.
The Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged ship, had been following the UKMTO’s recommended route through the strait when it was struck, the ship’s owner, Evergreen, said.
“All crew members remain safe as does the vessel itself and all cargo,” it added.