On Sunday, local time (July 12), after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran attacked a container ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States Central Command announced the launch of a new round of strikes against Iran, hitting approximately 140 targets. Defense Secretary Hagasees stated that Iran has made a wrong choice and they will now have to pay the price.
The Central Command announced on Platform X that on Saturday evening at 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time, the US Central Command forces launched the third round of strikes against Iran this week.
The Central Command stated, “Previously, the IRGC openly attacked the container ship ‘GFS Galaxy’ flying the flag of Cyprus passing through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a civilian crew member going missing. Due to the fire and severe damage to the engine room, the ship is no longer able to continue sailing.”
The Central Command went on to say that Iran had previously been held accountable for attacking commercial ships and was given another opportunity to demonstrate willingness to comply with the memorandum of understanding, but Iran once again failed to do so.
“In response, the United States is continuously weakening Iran’s ability to attack civilian seafarers and freely navigate commercial ships in the strait, making Iran pay a heavy price. This strike was carried out under the direction of the military commanders.”
Hours later, the Central Command issued a statement providing more details on the airstrikes. The statement mentioned that the US Central Command completed the third round of strikes against Iran this week to hold the Iranian military accountable for the attack on another commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The US military utilized land-based and sea-based fighter jets, drones, and navy vessels to launch precise guided weapons, targeting approximately 140 Iranian military objectives. These targets included Iranian missile and drone sites, naval combat facilities, ammunition depots, communication networks, and coastal surveillance points,” the statement said.
The Central Command also summarized that three airstrikes against Iran this week struck over 300 targets. The Command added that since early May, the US military has assisted over 800 commercial ships and 400 million barrels of oil in safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, commercial ships continue to navigate this crucial international maritime passage.
The IRGC Navy announced early Sunday local time that the strait has been closed after firing warning shots at a vessel attempting to cross unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran’s Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), multiple explosions were heard in Bushehr Province. Iran’s nuclear power plant is located on the outskirts of Bushehr City. Reports indicated that explosions were also heard in the ports of Bandar Abbas and Sirik facing the Strait of Hormuz.
Mehr News Agency reported explosions on Qeshm Island, Iran’s largest island in the Persian Gulf, considered part of their “defense system” near the Strait of Hormuz.
The explosions reported Sunday primarily occurred in Iran’s southern coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz. The Revolutionary Guards claimed that Chabahar also experienced explosions, a coastal city adjacent to the Iran-Pakistan border.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) stated that a container ship was damaged earlier on Sunday near the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
The maritime organization posted on X shortly before 6 a.m. local time that military and shore officials informed UKMTO that “the crew has abandoned ship and is currently on lifeboats.” The organization did not disclose the name of the vessel involved.
Earlier in the day, UKMTO had reported that the container ship suffered damage to its stern while sailing in waters east of Oman, followed by a fire breaking out on board.
Earlier this week, three commercial oil tankers belonging to Qatar and Saudi Arabia were attacked, prompting the United States to strike targets within Iran; subsequently, Iran attacked a US military facility in a Gulf State. In this context, the US revoked permits allowing the sale of Iranian oil.