Update — 12 July 2026

The US military launched a third round of strikes against Iran early Sunday, after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz and declared the waterway closed "until further notice."

US Central Command identified the targeted vessel as the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship. The ship suffered significant engine-room damage and a civilian crew member went missing, according to the military. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre said the crew abandoned the vessel and were in a lifeboat.

The Revolutionary Guards said the ship "disregarded our warnings" and was struck by "a warning shot." Iran warned that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a "severe response" and said it would target "additional enemy bases in the region" if it faced more attacks.

Iranian forces later struck targets in neighbouring countries. The Revolutionary Guards said they destroyed a command and control centre and drone hangars at a base in Jordan. The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems engaged Iranian missiles and drones, Qatar said it intercepted a missile attack, and explosions were reported in Bahrain and Doha.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman's foreign ministers met Saturday to discuss safe passage through the strait. According to a senior Iranian source, Iran, the US, Qatar and Pakistan had agreed to negotiate, though it was unclear whether those efforts succeeded.

Update sources: Times of Israel, Times of Israel, Times of Israel

The United States says it struck 140 Iranian military targets on Saturday, while Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed following what it described as an unauthorised vessel being hit.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical shipping routes. About one-fifth of all oil traded globally passes through it, making any closure a significant threat to global energy supplies and prices.

Iran's declaration that the strait is closed came after the incident involving the unauthorised vessel. The country did not provide details about what vessel was hit or by whom, but the timing suggests a connection to the US military action.

The US military operation targeted Iranian military installations across the country. The scale of the strike — 140 targets — represents a major escalation in tensions between the two nations.

The incident also affected Gulf states in the region, though specific details about the impact on those countries were not immediately clear from available reports.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is the world's most important oil chokepoint. Any disruption to shipping through the strait can affect global energy markets and prices worldwide.

The closure declaration and the US military strikes represent a sharp escalation in the long-running tensions between Washington and Tehran. The two countries have been at odds for decades, and recent months have seen increased military activity and rhetoric from both sides in the region.

Sources: Investing, Investing, Investing