US launches second night of strikes on Iran after ship hit by drone

Key Points:

• The US launched strikes on Iran for the second consecutive day, targeting military infrastructure in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling strain on the June 17 ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
• The strikes followed drone attacks on two commercial ships, the Panama-flagged tanker Kiku and the Singapore-registered container ship Ever Lovely, both passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz without crew injuries or cargo leaks.
• The June 17 memorandum aimed to halt military operations and ensure free commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but differing interpretations of the agreement's terms—particularly regarding Iran's control and clearance of ships—have led to ongoing disputes.
• Iran insists on coordinating all ship traffic through the strait as a security measure, while the US opposes Iranian control over vessels in Omani waters, contributing to mutual accusations of ceasefire violations.
• Experts warn that escalating tit-for-tat attacks risk undermining the fragile ceasefire, potentially increasing global oil prices and destabilizing the region, with both sides facing domestic and international pressures amid the conflict.