July 12, World (LNW): The United States has carried out a new series of military strikes against targets in Iran following an attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, further intensifying an already volatile confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation marked its third round of strikes this week, accusing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of targeting a Cyprus-flagged cargo ship in what it described as an unprovoked assault on international maritime traffic.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel, identified as the MV GFS Galaxy, sustained extensive damage to its engine room and was left unable to continue its voyage. Military officials also reported that one civilian crew member remains unaccounted for following the incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said military authorities had informed it that the crew abandoned the ship after the attack and evacuated safely into a lifeboat while assistance was being arranged.
Iran, meanwhile, defended its actions, with state media reporting that the IRGC had ordered the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz and intercepted the vessel after it allegedly switched off its tracking systems and deviated from an authorised shipping route. Iranian officials claimed warning shots were fired before the ship was stopped, maintaining that the action was taken in accordance with security measures introduced in the strategic waterway.
In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM accused Tehran of disregarding previous commitments to safeguard commercial shipping despite earlier warnings following attacks on merchant vessels. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that stance, saying Iran would face consequences for its actions.
The latest developments follow a string of attacks earlier this week involving three commercial oil tankers navigating the Gulf region. Those incidents triggered retaliatory US air strikes, which Iranian authorities said killed 17 people and injured more than 100 others. Tehran subsequently responded by launching strikes against US allies in the Gulf, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The renewed hostilities have placed further strain on already fragile diplomatic efforts. US President Donald Trump declared that Iran’s latest actions had effectively ended the ceasefire understanding between the two countries, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of breaching the agreement first.
Despite the sharp escalation, diplomatic contacts have not been completely abandoned. President Trump indicated that negotiations remain possible, with international mediators continuing efforts to restore dialogue.
Reports in US media have also suggested that Iranian officials privately informed American counterparts that the earlier attacks on commercial tankers were the work of a rogue internal faction rather than a deliberate decision by Tehran’s leadership, although no independent confirmation has been provided.