Iran Launches Drone Attack on Bahrain After U.S. Strikes, Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

Iran launched a drone attack targeting Bahrain on Saturday, while a tanker was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Britain’s UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), in a sharp escalation following overnight U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military sites.

The latest exchange has heightened fears that the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States could unravel, threatening global energy supplies and maritime security in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes. The renewed conflict follows an Iranian drone attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, prompting Washington to respond with military action.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its operation targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, along with coastal radar installations, in retaliation for what it described as an unprovoked attack on a commercial cargo vessel. According to U.S. officials, the strikes lasted about an hour and were designed to safeguard freedom of navigation while leaving room for diplomacy.

Iran condemned the U.S. operation, calling it a violation of the U.N. Charter and the ceasefire memorandum between the two countries. Tehran said it had launched retaliatory strikes against targets associated with U.S. forces but did not specify their locations.

Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country was targeted by several Iranian drones, describing the attack as a serious threat to the safety of its citizens and residents.

The deteriorating security environment also disrupted commercial shipping. QatarEnergy-chartered LNG tanker Umm Slal reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring growing concerns over energy exports through the vital waterway. The Joint Maritime Information Center subsequently raised its regional threat level for commercial vessels operating in the Gulf.

President Donald Trump said Iran launched at least four one-way attack drones at ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with one striking the upper deck of a cargo vessel while three others were intercepted by U.S. forces. Trump called the incident a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement and vowed that attacks on international shipping would not go unanswered.

The attack also forced the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to suspend its coordinated evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers stranded aboard vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The evacuation effort, announced earlier in the week, had been organized in cooperation with Iran, Oman, Gulf states, and the United States.

According to CENTCOM, the vessel hit on June 25 was the Singapore-flagged M/V Ever Lovely, which was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along Oman’s coastline when it was struck by an Iranian one-way attack drone. Washington described the incident as a direct threat to international maritime trade and freedom of navigation.

The IMO later confirmed that the damaged vessel had not been operating under its evacuation framework. Reports also indicated that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned ships against using routes endorsed by the IMO, insisting vessels instead seek authorization from Tehran before entering the Strait. While Iran has attempted to steer commercial traffic through routes under its supervision, the United States continues to support an alternative corridor along Oman’s coast.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance urged Iran to pursue diplomacy rather than military retaliation, saying Washington had complied with the ceasefire agreement. He warned that any further violence would trigger a firm response.

With financial markets closed over the weekend, investors are expected to closely monitor developments when trading resumes, particularly the potential impact on oil prices, global shipping, and broader market sentiment as tensions in the Persian Gulf continue to rise.