Abu Dhabi, UAE —
“If any vessel attempts to transit in the Strait without our permission…or outside of the designated route, it is responsible for any consequences.”
The warning was broadcast on Thursday by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil chokepoint which is emerging as one of the biggest tests of the agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war.
Just hours later, the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely was struck by an Iranian drone, a US official told CNN. The attack, the first on a vessel since the pact was signed, was described by President Donald Trump on Friday as a “foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.”
In retaliation, the US military conducted strikes on Friday against Iranian military targets around the Strait of Hormuz. However, a US official played down the prospect of escalation following the strikes, telling CNN they do not reflect a return to major combat operations, at least for now.
