The United States carried out another wave of military strikes against Iran early Saturday following an alleged attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US military.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation began at 5:45 am, making it the third round of American strikes targeting Iran this week.
In a statement shared on X, CENTCOM said the commercial vessel sustained severe damage during the incident and confirmed that one civilian crew member remains unaccounted for.
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‘A civilian crew member is missing, and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage,’ the statement said.
CENTCOM says Iran ignored opportunity to comply
CENTCOM said Iran had been offered ‘yet another opportunity’ to demonstrate compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding after previous attacks on commercial shipping. However, the command alleged that Tehran had once again failed to meet those expectations.
According to the US military, the latest strikes were intended to impose ‘a heavy cost’ on Iran by weakening its capability to target civilian sailors and merchant vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation, CENTCOM added, was carried out under the direction of US President Donald Trump.
Reacting to the strikes, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X: ‘Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.’
Explosions reported in Southern Iran
Following the US operation, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported hearing explosions on Qeshm Island. State broadcaster IRIB also reported three explosions in Bandar Abbas and two more in Sirik.
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed again
The strikes came just hours after Iran announced that it considers the Strait of Hormuz closed once again. The decision followed what Iranian authorities described as a warning shot fired at a vessel travelling through the strategic waterway using an ‘unauthorised route’, adding further strain to the already fragile ceasefire agreement with the United States.
A statement carried by IRIB said the IRGC Navy would not allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until what it called US interference in the region comes to an end.
Tehran accuses Washington of breaching ceasefire understanding
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he held discussions with his Omani counterpart on ‘appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships.’
For decades, the international community has regarded the Strait of Hormuz as an international waterway. Iran, however, has maintained that the passage should remain under its control and has argued that it should be permitted to levy charges on vessels transiting the route, a position it adopted after the conflict began. The United States has continued to advise commercial vessels to use the southern passage through Oman’s territorial waters.
Araghchi also accused Washington of violating the interim agreement after the United States revoked waivers that had previously allowed Iran to sell crude oil in US dollars on the international market. According to the source, the waivers were withdrawn by Washington in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
First published on: Jul 12, 2026 07:01 AM IST
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