U.S. Launches a Third Round of Strikes After Iran Declares the Strait of Hormuz Closed

U.S. Central Command said it began a third round of strikes on Iran this week after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving a crew member missing and the vessel disabled by fire and engine-room damage. CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out on President Trump's orders; a senior U.S. official said the targets included air and maritime surveillance radars, missile and drone storage sites, launch sites, and surface-to-air missile launchers. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and on Qeshm Island. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote: "Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay." The IRGC said the strait would be "closed until further notice" and warned that further U.S. action would bring a "severe response."

Roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil normally transits the strait. The escalation followed the collapse of the June memorandum of understanding's ceasefire terms and came while Omani mediators were still circulating navigation proposals, with no U.S. officials at the table.

The strikes are confirmed by CENTCOM. Congress has not voted on a new authorization for the ongoing Iran campaign.