Explained: How an alleged IRGC attack on ship led to US strikes on Iran

New Delhi [India]: The United States has launched a strike on Iran after an alleged attack on a ship by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the strait of Hormuz.

After the US attack, IRGC has issued a statement warning that the US action "will not go unanswered."

As per the media reports, the US has targeted Iranian missiles, drones storage facilities and coastal radar sites.

The latest escalation began after Iran targeted a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian authorities, the vessel had allegedly failed to follow the designated shipping route under Tehran's maritime regulations.

Iran claimed that while three incoming missiles were intercepted, one drone struck the vessel.

The United States responded with retaliatory strikes targeting multiple Iranian positions, including military installations near Qeshm Island, Sirri Island, and coastal areas around the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media later confirmed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had launched counterattacks, marking a fresh round of hostilities between the two countries.

The exchange of strikes comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and negotiations between Washington and Tehran. US officials described Iran's actions as a "foolish violation" of existing understandings and warned that any further escalation would invite an appropriate response.

US Vice President JD Vance said that if Iran had concerns over implementing previous agreements, it should address them through dialogue rather than military action, adding that "violence will only beget more violence."

The renewed confrontation has once again put the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil shipping route—at the centre of the conflict. Maritime security had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, raising hopes that commercial shipping could resume normal operations.

However, the latest exchange of attacks has heightened concerns over the safety of vessels passing through the strategic waterway. Analysts say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether both sides return to negotiations or allow the conflict to escalate further, with significant implications for global energy markets and regional security.

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