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The United States (US) has launched a third round of military strikes against Iran after Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a commercial vessel.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said the strikes were carried out on Saturday in response to Iran’s attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted the vessel because it was using what it described as an “unauthorised route” through the strategic waterway.
Centcom said one crew member is missing and the ship suffered significant damage to its engine room.
“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,” Centcom said.
The military said the latest strikes were targeted at reducing Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
“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. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief,” the statement added.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also issued a warning to Iran after the operation.
“Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay,” Hegseth said.
The latest military action has further weakened hopes of renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end months of conflict.
Earlier this week, both countries exchanged strikes after accusing each other of violating a ceasefire agreement.
Before launching the second round of strikes on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a “big attack” on Iran and declared that the existing agreement between both countries was “over.”
“I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum,” Trump told reporters.
