WASHINGTON: The United States has launched a fresh round of military strikes against Iran after accusing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of attacking a commercial container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said on Saturday.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes began at 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time and marked the third round of US military action against Iran this week.
At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 11, 2026
CENTCOM said the latest operation was ordered after Iranian forces allegedly targeted the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container vessel transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The military said the attack caused a major fire onboard, severely damaged the ship’s engine room and left one civilian crew member missing. The vessel was no longer capable of continuing its voyage following the incident.
“The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X, referring to President Donald Trump.
The US military also accused Tehran of failing to honour previous commitments intended to safeguard commercial navigation in the region.
“Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels, but has again failed,” the statement said.
Washington said the latest military action was intended to further reduce Iran’s capability to threaten international shipping and civilian mariners operating in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
“In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait,” CENTCOM added.
The development marks a further escalation in tensions in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical route for global energy supplies and international trade.There was no immediate response from Iranian authorities regarding the US claims or the reported strikes.
Iran reports calm along southern coast
Iranian state media reported on Saturday that the situation in the southern coastal cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask remained calm despite earlier reports of explosions in the area.
Iran’s state media reported on Saturday the situation in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask was calm after reports of explosions in the southern coastal areas.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) July 12, 2026
The brief statement, carried by state-run media, did not provide further details on the reported blasts or indicate whether they were linked to the US military operation.
Iranian authorities have yet to officially comment on the US claim that it carried out fresh strikes against targets associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
