US launches fresh strikes after Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz, warns against ship transit
The US launched a fresh round of strikes on Iran after Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, deepening the conflict as both sides exchanged fresh threats and the fragile ceasefire came under renewed strain.
The United States launched a fresh round of strikes on Iran on Saturday after Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed once again following an attack on a commercial vessel, escalating tensions and further straining the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces began the third round of strikes this week after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces targeted the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy in the strategic waterway.
CENTCOM said the vessel suffered an onboard fire and “significant engineroom damage”, leaving it unable to continue its voyage. A civilian crew member remains missing.
“A civilian crew member is missing, and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.
The US military said Iran had been given “yet another opportunity” to demonstrate compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding after previous attacks on commercial vessels but “has again failed.”
“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 said.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also reacted to the operation, posting on X: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed
Hours before the US strikes, Iran announced it was once again closing the Strait of Hormuz after what it described as a vessel using an “unauthorised route” was hit by a warning shot.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the IRGC Navy would not permit ships to transit through the strategic waterway until what it called US interference in the region ends.
The announcement followed talks between the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman on the security of the strait after days of attacks on commercial shipping and US retaliation that have weakened the interim agreement aimed at ending the conflict.
Oman said both sides agreed to continue discussions on the Strait of Hormuz “at the technical and political levels.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he met his Omani counterpart to discuss “appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships.”
The Strait of Hormuz has long been recognised internationally as a key global shipping lane, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passing through it before the conflict. Since the war began, Iran has maintained that it should control the passage and charge vessels using the route, while the United States has advised ships to use a southern route through Oman’s territorial waters.
Iran accuses US of violating interim agreement
Araghchi also accused Washington of breaching the interim agreement after the United States revoked waivers that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil on the international market in US dollars. The US said the waivers were withdrawn in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance,” Araghchi wrote on X.
New supreme leader vows revenge
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since the conflict began, issued his first statement since the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowing retaliation.
Such revenge “is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out,” Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement carried on state television.
His remarks came hours after US President Donald Trump warned of further military action.
“A thousand missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat,” Trump wrote on social media.
He said he was responding to threats “to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate” him.
Although Trump has declared the ceasefire over, he said negotiations with Iran would continue.
Ceasefire under renewed strain
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the latest strikes followed attempts by what they described as a rogue faction of Iranian hardliners to derail the ceasefire. Iran, however, has maintained that its leadership remains united under the new supreme leader.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported explosions on Qeshm Island, while state broadcaster IRIB said blasts were heard in Bandar Abbas and Sirik following the latest US strikes.
According to Iranian Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour, at least 17 people were killed and 115 others wounded in strikes over the past two days, adding further pressure on efforts to preserve the already fragile truce.