U.S. Central Command Launches Strikes on Iranian Targets After Drone Attack on Tanker M/T Kiku

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — U.S. Central Command forces conducted additional strikes against multiple Iranian military targets on June 27 in response to Iran’s drone attack on the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku.

The tanker was transiting near the strait carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil when struck by a one-way attack drone on June 27 at 8:30 a.m. UTC (12:00 p.m. local time in the Strait of Hormuz region), according to the CENTCOM statement.

CENTCOM described the strikes as a direct response to continued attacks on commercial shipping and noted that Iran had been given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement after prior U.S. strikes but elected not to when it launched the drone attack on M/T Kiku.

U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted the strikes on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the official CENTCOM statement that included video of the operation.

Strike Details

CENTCOM forces launched the strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping, according to the release.

U.S. military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-layer capabilities.

The operation marked the second day of U.S. retaliatory actions in the region following strikes conducted on June 26 in response to an attack on the vessel M/V Ever Lovely.

M/T Kiku Drone Attack and Ceasefire Context

CENTCOM stated that Iranian forces launched the one-way attack drone that hit M/T Kiku on June 27 at 8:30 a.m. UTC (12:00 p.m. local time in the Strait of Hormuz region).

The Panama-flagged vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil during transit near the Strait of Hormuz.

The June 17 memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran established a 60-day extension of the ceasefire mediated by Pakistan.

The agreement aimed to enable negotiations and ensure commercial vessel passage through the strait.

CENTCOM noted that after the June 26 strikes in response to the attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched the drone attack on M/T Kiku.

According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy stated it had targeted several US military positions in the region in retaliation for the US strikes on Iran’s southern coast.

The IRGC statement described the US action as aggression and a violation of commitments under the pretext of a vessel’s unauthorized passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement said, “The IRGC Navy, in response to this aggression, struck the positions of the terrorist US army in the region.”

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior stated on June 28 that the siren had been sounded and directed citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

A follow-up statement noted that the alarm siren had been activated, requested citizens and residents to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.

Kuwait’s army stated it intercepted hostile missile and drone threats early on June 28 local time, with air defenses responding and blasts from defenses heard nationwide.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan as violations of sovereignty and a breach of international law, calling for immediate de-escalation and expressing solidarity with the affected nations.

No confirmation or statement from US official sources addressing Iranian retaliatory actions on US facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, or elsewhere appears in current searches of CENTCOM, Department of Defense, or Pentagon channels.

Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue, according to the CENTCOM statement.

What to Watch

• Further CENTCOM or Department of Defense updates on any Iranian actions or battle damage assessment.

• Official statements from Iranian government, IRGC, or Foreign Ministry channels clarifying the scope or targets of any claimed retaliatory operations.

• Updates from Bahrain Ministry of Interior or other regional governments on siren status, threat assessments, or all-clear signals.

• Updates from the M/T Kiku operator, Panama maritime authorities, or shipping industry groups on vessel status and strait transit conditions.

• Compliance signals with the June 17 ceasefire memorandum and any adjustments to commercial shipping protocols through the Strait of Hormuz.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, public release dated June 27: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran, June 27, at the Commander in Chief’s direction. After yesterday’s U.S. strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit M/T Kiku this morning at 4:30 a.m. ET. The Panama-flagged tanker was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz with more than two-million barrels of crude oil. CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping. U.S. military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”

• U.S. Central Command, June 28 statement: “U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes tonight on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz for Iran’s drone attack on M/T Kiku.”

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, via state media report dated June 27: “The IRGC Navy, in response to this aggression, struck the positions of the terrorist US army in the region.”

• Bahrain Ministry of Interior, June 28 statement: “The siren has been sounded. The alarm siren has been activated. Citizens and residents are requested to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.”

• Kuwait army statement: Kuwait’s army stated it intercepted hostile missile and drone threats early on June 28 local time.

• Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement: Qatar condemned Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan as violations of sovereignty and a breach of international law and called for immediate de-escalation while expressing solidarity with the affected nations.