Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after its forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the strategic waterway, prompting the US to carry out a fresh round of strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping.
US Central Command said American forces began a third round of strikes this week at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container vessel. CENTCOM said a civilian crew member is missing and the ship suffered significant engineroom damage and an onboard fire, leaving it unable to continue its voyage.
CENTCOM added that Iran had been given another opportunity to comply with the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding following earlier attacks on commercial vessels but had again failed to do so. The US described the strikes as intended to reduce Iran’s capacity to strike civilian mariners and commercial vessels passing through the strait.
Iran said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel it said was traveling on an unapproved route, and warned that any retaliation would be met with a severe response. The IRGC also claimed it had launched ballistic missiles at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, destroying a command-and-control center and hangars housing MQ-9 drones; those claims could not be independently verified.
The IRGC accused the US of pressuring Oman to route several ships through what Tehran called an illegal passage in the southern Strait of Hormuz and said its navy delivered a decisive response. Tehran further alleged that US strikes hit coastal bases and telecommunications towers in southern Iran, prompting what the IRGC described as the first phase of its retaliation.
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the safety of commercial shipping increased after the incidents. Both sides warned of further escalation if attacks continue. Authorities have not yet provided independent confirmation of all claims, and the situation remains fluid.