The United States launched a third round of military strikes against Iran on July 12 after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked the Cyprus flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the attack left one civilian crew member missing, caused a fire onboard, and inflicted significant damage to the vessel’s engine room, preventing it from continuing its voyage.
CENTCOM said the strikes began at 7:15 p.m. ET at the direction of the Commander in Chief. The U.S. said Iran had been given another opportunity to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding following previous attacks on commercial shipping but had failed to do so. Washington said the operation was intended to further degrade Iran’s ability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Axios, U.S. officials said the strikes targeted rocket and drone launch sites, air surveillance radars, and missile storage facilities. CENTCOM confirmed U.S. forces struck multiple locations in southern Iran. Explosions were reported in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik in Hormozgan province, and in Bushehr city and Asaluyeh in Bushehr province. Iranian state media and Mehr News Agency also reported explosions in Jask, Chabahar, Deyr, Kangan, Mahshahr and Kish Island, while Iran activated air defence systems in Tehran and at Mahshahr port.
Iranian state television said three explosions were heard at the Port of Hormuz in Hormozgan province and two in Sirik. Press TV reported the IRGC announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz until the United States stops interfering in the region. The IRGC claimed a vessel with its systems switched off attempted to transit through an unauthorized route and said Iranian forces struck the ship to prevent its passage.
Diplomatic efforts also appeared to stall. A U.S. official said American negotiators did not travel to Oman for talks with Iran and that a U.S. technical team would not be present on site, although Washington would remain in contact with Oman and Qatar. The official said the U.S. had expected Iran to publicly commit to ending attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, but Iranian sources said no such commitment was made. Iranian sources said Oman discussed a mechanism for safe passage of vessels and urged diplomacy to prevent regional escalation, while Iranian state media said conditions at Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask ports remained calm.
Iranian officials warned the U.S. strikes would “not go unanswered.” Al Jazeera quoted Ali Safari, an adviser to Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, as saying the United States had failed to honour the June 16 Memorandum of Understanding governing future arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. He criticised the U.S. backed southern shipping route and vessels switching off navigation systems, warned that Iran was prepared for war, and said Washington must either comply with the agreement signed 23 days ago or abandon it. Israel Hayom also reported Oman informed the United States that Iran had rejected proposed terms on the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to immediately reinstate sanctions and reimpose a maritime blockade in the strait.
Iran Launches Strikes on U.S. Targets Across Middle East
Iranian media reported that Iran has launched a series of strikes targeting U.S. positions in the Middle East, marking a major escalation in regional tensions.
Qatar raised its security threat level to high, urging residents to stay indoors, avoid non essential travel, and follow official safety instructions. Witnesses also reported explosions in Doha, with emergency alerts sent to mobile phones.
The UAE said its air defence systems are actively intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran and are responding to the ongoing missile threat. The UAE’s first missile alerts since May 7th.
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