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DUBAI/LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Iran on Friday for an attack on a ship near Oman, which he said had violated their ceasefire, after Tehran insisted it would control the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states not to side with Washington.
The attack on Thursday highlighted the fragility of a preliminary deal to end the Iran war. Two U.S. officials had told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Iran had fired on the ship. Trump said an Iranian drone had hit the upper deck.
“Damage was done, but the Ship was able to proceed on its way,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We knocked down three other Drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.”
Iran had earlier expressed anger at what it said was an “interventionist, irresponsible and provocative” statement by the United States and six Gulf states that rejected its assertion that it could charge tolls on vessels transiting the strait.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — wrapping up a tour of the Gulf to reassure regional allies about the interim pact — issued a joint statement with the Gulf Cooperation Council calling for “free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation” in the strait without tolls or “attempts to assert control”.
Iran’s foreign ministry responded on Friday by saying the U.S. military presence in the Gulf was the source of regional insecurity and division, and that the strait should be governed by Iran and Oman in line with the terms of the interim deal.
“We warn against the continuation of hostile and interventionist policies in the region,” it said.
Tehran took effective control of the waterway after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. Iranian forces also fired at Israel and Gulf states that host U.S. bases, and Iran-aligned Hezbollah militants fired on Israel from Lebanon, reigniting conflict there.
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