The United States military has launched a third round of strikes against Iran this week after Iranian forces allegedly fired at a vessel travelling through the Strait of Hormuz and announced the closure of the strategic waterway.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest operation began at 7.15pm Eastern Time (1115 GMT) after forces from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the attack was carried out in response to what it described as Iran’s continued failure to comply with previous understandings regarding the safety of commercial shipping in the region.
The US military said one civilian crew member was reported missing following the incident, while the vessel was unable to continue its journey due to a fire onboard and damage to its engine room.
According to CENTCOM, Iran had previously been given another opportunity to demonstrate compliance with a memorandum of understanding after being held responsible for attacks on commercial vessels, but allegedly failed to do so.
“As a response, the US imposed significant costs by continuing to reduce Iran’s ability to target civilian sailors and independent commercial vessels transiting the strait,” CENTCOM said.
The command added that the strikes were carried out under the direction of the US Commander-in-Chief as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key global shipping route, with ongoing security concerns surrounding maritime movement in the region following the latest developments.
