President Donald Trump accused Iran on Friday of launching a drone attack against a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as an “irresponsible violation” of the ceasefire agreement with the United States, according to reports.
Trump stated that a drone damaged the upper deck of the ship, but it was able to continue its journey. He also mentioned that the U.S. military intercepted and shot down three additional drones targeting the same vessel.
In his social media announcement, Trump did not specify the name of the ship or when the attack occurred. However, on Thursday, the British military had reported that a vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman.
This incident comes at a sensitive time in U.S.-Iran relations, as both nations are engaged in negotiations for a permanent peace agreement aimed at ending ongoing conflicts. Recently, Iran has intensified its attempts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz, despite a provisional agreement reached with the United States last week.
The regional tensions were further underscored by a missile alert issued in the United Arab Emirates on Friday due to a technical malfunction. This alert followed the attack on the commercial vessel and was issued after recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
The alert, which surprised many residents in Dubai, marked the first of its kind since the provisional ceasefire began. It was also the first warning message from the UAE’s Ministry of Interior in Dubai since the start of the conflict between Iran and the U.S. Since the conflict erupted on February 28, prior alerts had been issued regarding potential Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Shortly after the alert, UAE authorities announced that Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. The official statement underscored the “importance of full compliance” with the provisional agreement between Iran and the U.S.
“Serious diplomacy and responsible dialogue are the best paths to resolving all regional and international crises,” the statement read.
The U.S. and Iran continue to negotiate the details of the provisional peace agreement, including the conditions for the transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Under the temporary arrangement, both parties have 60 days to finalize the terms of the agreement.
