A new escalation is taking place in the Middle East, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they had launched attacks against U.S. military positions in the Gulf, while also referring to an “immediate and decisive” response to U.S. strikes. The tension was sparked by attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. and Iran exchanging harsh statements and accusations of violating de-escalation agreements.

The Revolutionary Guards, via Iranian state television, announced that their response to the U.S. strikes would be “immediate and decisive.” At the same time, they claimed to have repelled an attack by U.S. armed forces in the Sirik area of the Strait of Hormuz, without providing further details.

In a previous statement, they had reported that they had launched attacks against U.S. military positions in the Gulf in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian territory.

Possible ongoing U.S. strikes on Iran after Trump threatened retaliation for Iran’s bombing of the non-compliant cargo ship yesterday:

3 explosions believed to be American airstrikes in the city of Sirik, southern Iran, across from the Strait of Hormuz

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The sound… pic.twitter.com/U2bjptkCCi

— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) June 26, 2026

U.S. operations and the strike on a ship

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that U.S. forces struck missile and drone depots, as well as coastal radar facilities in Iran, in response to an attack on a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

https://t.co/W4zjNqnmCt

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 26, 2026

According to Donald Trump, Iran launched at least four unmanned aerial vehicles against ships operating in the area. He reported that one drone struck the deck of a large cargo ship, causing damage but not interrupting its course, while the other three were shot down.

He described the incident as a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement, without providing further details.

Vance: “Violence will be met with violence”

U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance stated that “violence will be met with violence” following the U.S. strikes against Iranian targets.

In a post on Platform X, he noted that Iran has signed a ceasefire agreement and that the U.S. has abided by it. At the same time, he emphasized that any disagreements regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding can be resolved diplomatically, “but violence will be met with violence.”

Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone.

But violence will be met with violence. https://t.co/VWnBS1PWaV

— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 26, 2026

Mutual accusations and the uncertain status of the ceasefire

Washington maintains that Friday’s attacks do not signal a return to broader military operations, at least for now, while Iran insists that U.S. actions constitute a violation of the de-escalation agreement.

Trump, for his part, left open the possibility of further retaliation, saying, “You’ll find out,” when asked about the U.S.’s next steps.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the crisis, as it is a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy trade. Attacks on commercial ships, threats to restrict shipping, and military operations have led to an escalation with no clear timeline for de-escalation.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides maintaining tough rhetoric and leaving open the possibility of further military action.

Source: Protothema.gr