The conflict between the United States and Iran over control of the Hormuz Strait has sharply escalated. Following Iran's warning shots at a commercial vessel, the country declared a full blockade of the strait, prompting the U.S. to conduct airstrikes on approximately 140 military targets in Iran. Iran, in turn, has launched attacks on U.S. targets across the Middle East.
On July 12, the Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Hormuz Strait, claiming that vessels attempted to navigate illegally.
The IRGC stated that it fired warning shots at a vessel that had turned off its navigation system and posed a threat to maritime security. They declared, "The Hormuz Strait will remain closed until further notice and until U.S. intervention in the region ceases," prohibiting all vessel traffic.
In response, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that at 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11, the IRGC openly attacked the Cypriot-flagged container ship 'M/V GFS Galaxy' as it passed through the Hormuz Strait, marking the beginning of the third wave of airstrikes against Iran this week.
CENTCOM reported that one civilian crew member is missing following the attack, which caused a fire on board and significant damage to the engine room, rendering the ship unable to navigate.
The command asserted that Iran had an opportunity to adhere to a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) following the earlier attack on the commercial vessel but failed to do so. They emphasized that the U.S. is continuing to degrade Iran's capability to attack civilian vessels and crew, stating that the operation was conducted under the direction of President Donald Trump.
After the airstrikes commenced, explosions and flames were reported in various locations across southern Iran. Russian state news agency TASS cited local Iranian media reporting explosions heard on Qeshm Island and in southern Asaluyeh and Bushehr. Asaluyeh is home to many of Iran's major oil facilities, while Bushehr hosts the only operational commercial nuclear power plant in the country.
Reuters also reported, citing Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, that three explosions occurred in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and two in Sirik. Explosions were also reported in southeastern Chabahar.
CENTCOM later issued a separate announcement stating that the airstrikes had concluded, confirming that they targeted about 140 military sites in Iran using aircraft, drones, and precision-guided munitions. The targets included missile and drone bases, naval facilities, ammunition depots, communication networks, and coastal surveillance installations. CENTCOM noted that over 300 targets in Iran had been struck in just this week.
Following the U.S. airstrikes, Iran reportedly retaliated by targeting U.S. facilities in the Middle East. Iranian state media reported that regular forces and the IRGC struck U.S. military installations in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar with ballistic missiles and drones.
The IRGC claimed to have attacked the U.S. command and control center at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, an MQ-9 drone hangar, Patriot missile defense systems, ammunition depots, and radar facilities in Kuwait, as well as communication and radar facilities at the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
Iranian forces also targeted U.S. refueling and logistics facilities in Oman’s Duqm, warning that stronger retaliation would follow if the U.S. took further action. However, the extent of the damage has not been confirmed.
Iranian military spokesman Akrami Nia stated, "The U.S. must adhere to the provisions of the previous MOU," asserting that Iran will firmly uphold its sovereignty over the Hormuz Strait. He added, "Our target list is continuously being updated."
Despite signing a previous MOU last month, the U.S. and Iran continue to engage in military confrontations over the routes and control of the Hormuz Strait.
Just nine days after signing the MOU, both countries exchanged airstrikes and retaliatory attacks from June 26 to 27. The U.S. conducted airstrikes in southern Iran on July 8, while Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting key U.S. facilities in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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