Iran and US trade attacks in worst escalation since peace deal

Iran and US trade attacks in worst escalation since peace deal Iran and the United States traded strikes over the past two days in the worst escalation since signing an interim peace deal aimed at ending their four-month war. The two sides accused each other of violating the agreement after a cargo ship was attacked on Thursday, prompting the latest exchange of strikes. The US blamed Iran for the attack. A tanker was also struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said. The vessel sustained damage to its bridge, but all crew were reported safe and no environmental damage was recorded, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said. The Joint Maritime Information Center, a coalition of navies protecting commercial shipping, said it had raised its security threat level following the recent incidents. On Saturday, Iran said it had launched "defensive" attacks on US-linked military targets in response to US air strikes on its southern coast the day before. Read more: Iran and US trade attacks in worst escalation since peace deal Smoke rises from explosions at an unknown location, following what US Central Command said were strikes on Iran in response to an Iranian drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in this screen grab from video released 26 June 2026 (US Central Command/Handout via Reuters)