The United States has launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran after tensions sharply escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
The strikes came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a Cyprus-flagged cargo vessel, the MV GFS Galaxy, accusing it of straying from an approved route and switching off its tracking systems. Iranian state media said the ship was hit after ignoring repeated warnings, according to BBC News. The attack left the vessel badly damaged and forced its crew to abandon ship. One crew member remains missing.
In a dramatic move, Iran announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice,” raising fears of wider disruption to global oil supplies. The narrow waterway carries a significant share of the world’s energy exports, making any disruption a global concern.
US Central Command confirmed it carried out what it called the “third round of strikes this week,” accusing Iranian forces of “blatantly attacking” commercial shipping. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth struck a firm tone, saying Iran had made “a poor choice” and would now face consequences.
The latest violence follows a string of attacks earlier this week on three commercial tankers navigating nearby waters. Those incidents triggered an exchange of strikes between the US and Iran, with Iranian officials reporting casualties from earlier US attacks. Tehran later retaliated by targeting US allies in the Gulf.
The situation has further strained an already fragile ceasefire. President Donald Trump declared the truce effectively over, while Iran’s Foreign Minister accused Washington of breaking its commitments. Despite the rising hostility, both sides have signaled that diplomatic talks may still continue through mediators.
Adding to the tension, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed revenge following the death of his predecessor in a February airstrike. In a televised statement, he described vengeance as the “will of the nation,” warning that retaliation would come regardless of leadership.
As threats intensify on both sides, the Strait of Hormuz has once again become a flashpoint, with the risk of wider conflict looming over the region.
