TEHRAN – The latest exchange came as both countries accused each other of violating the agreement that ended a four-month-long conflict about two weeks ago.

The US Central Command) said its forces carried out strikes after a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker was reportedly hit by an Iranian drone in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

In Iran, the state-run Iranian Broadcasting Corporation reported explosions in the southern city of Sirik early Sunday but did not provide further details. Fox News later quoted a US defence official as saying the strikes on Iranian targets had been completed.

Washington said it had targeted Iranian military sites overnight, while Tehran said it launched retaliatory attacks on locations linked to US forces on Saturday.

The tanker attack followed an earlier assault on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, further raising tensions in one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the tanker sustained damage to its bridge but confirmed that all crew members were safe.

The Joint Maritime Information Centre, operated by a coalition of naval forces to safeguard regional shipping, raised the maritime security threat level following the recent attacks.

Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry described its military action as “defensive”, saying it had targeted US-linked military sites. Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, reported an Iranian drone attack.

Iran also claimed it had targeted the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Kuwait said it had successfully intercepted incoming missiles and drones.