Iran's Revolutionary Guards targeted a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency citing an informed source. This specific action follows accusations from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that Iran has intentionally targeted civilians by attacking seven commercial vessels in the region. The incident contributes to escalating tensions as U.S. military operations against Iran enter their third consecutive night, aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping.

Military Operations and Strategic Targets

The U.S. strikes, which began at 4:45 p.m. ET on the direction of the Commander in Chief, are targeting Iran's air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats. CENTCOM stated that these operations intend to impose a heavy cost on Iranian forces and safeguard regional stability. Iran has reportedly targeted U.S. military assets in Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, while asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatic Friction and Regional Tensions

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, claimed that the U.S. has "dismantled" sections of the Islamabad Memorandum and dismissed U.S. assertions regarding agreements made in Muscat. Baghaei warned that U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf remain potential targets and urged the United Nations to prevent the use of member territories for U.S. operations. The situation follows a reported period of crisis in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran.

Incident Summary

The following table outlines the key developments in the ongoing confrontation:

U.S. Vice President JD Vance publicly dismissed a report accusing advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff of profiting $9 billion from market manipulation during U.S.-Iran negotiations. Vance labeled the allegations as "completely bogus" in a post on X on Thursday, stating he never received a message from Iran regarding the matter. The Vice President defended the advisers as trusted members of the president’s team and close friends, emphasizing their efforts toward peace in the region.

Vance Publicly Defends Kushner And Witkoff

Vance responded directly to a report by Drop Site News, which cited an unnamed Iranian official claiming Tehran calculated $9 billion in alleged market-manipulation profits by President Donald Trump's associates. The report stated that Iran requested $4.5 billion through intermediaries and warned Vance during talks in Switzerland that the advisers were "abusing" negotiations for financial gain. Vance rejected these assertions, calling the idea that they were trading on insider information "absurd."

"I see a lot of BS flying around and I normally just ignore it," Vance wrote. "But Steve and Jared are good dudes and I’m honored to work with them."

Unverified Iran Claims Drive Fresh Dispute

The disputed report alleged that Iran warned the U.S. team that Kushner and Witkoff were "more interested in exploiting insider knowledge to profit in financial markets than reaching a deal." It further claimed that "the exchanged texts will ultimately become part of the historical record." Vance's denial followed his recent remarks on a podcast suggesting some Israeli officials were manipulating American public opinion to prolong the war, a sentiment Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump agreed with regarding foreign influence.

Iran Accord Frays As Strikes Continue

Tensions have escalated as last month’s U.S.-Iran memorandum appears to be unraveling. The accord, which extended a ceasefire for 60 days and sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, has been violated by attacks on commercial vessels according to Washington. In response, CENTCOM announced that aircraft, drones, and warships struck dozens of Iranian military targets for a sixth consecutive night. More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently operating across the Middle East. Trump has threatened to continue strikes into next week, noting that energy targets would be prioritized last, and recently abandoned a proposed 20% Hormuz fee.