US Launches New Strikes on Iran After IRGC Attacks Ship in Strait of Hormuz
The US military launched a new round of strikes on multiple locations across southern Iran after Iranian forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, with explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Bushehr province, Hormozgan province and Qeshm Island, marking another escalation in Iran strikes. [1] [2]
US Launches New Strikes on Southern Iran
Multiple explosions were reported across southern Iran as the US military launched new strikes. [1] Blasts were heard in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Bushehr province, Hormozgan province and Qeshm Island according to Iranian media. [1] The US military said it has launched a new round of strikes against Iran after Tehran blatantly attacked a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. [2] The latest strikes began at 7:15 pm in Washington and came after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command said in a statement. [2] 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, CENTCOM said, adding that the strikes were being carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump. [2] US Central Command says the IRGC attacked a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving a civilian crew member missing and the vessel heavily damaged. [4]
Iranian Attack on Container Ship in Strait of Hormuz
The US said it launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran after Tehran struck a ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz. [3] US Central Command says it carried out the third round of strikes this week after the IRGC forces blatantly attacked a Cyprus-flagged vessel. [3] Centcom said the vessel was unable to continue its journey as a result of significant damage to the engine room. [3] One civilian crew member was missing, it said. [3] The Guards had fired warning shots at a vessel using an unauthorized route, the reports said. [2] Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it closed the waterway until further notice, and the offending vessel was attacked after it turned off its systems and diverted from the approved route, according to state media. [3] The Guards said the vessel was hit by warning shots and stopped after ignoring repeated instructions, according to a statement carried by state news agency. [3]
US military strikes cause explosions across multiple sites in southern Iran. — Source: korea-herald
Closure of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz would be closed until further notice, state media reported. [2] Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it closed the waterway until further notice. [3] Earlier on Sunday, state media said Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice after firing a naval cruise missile at a vessel that was attempting to sail along an unapproved route. [3] The IRGC has said ships must use their proposed route through the Strait of Hormuz. [3] It also warned that any US aggression as a result of the closure would be responded to with severity and new bases in the region would be targeted. [3]
Context of Escalating Exchanges This Week
US Central Command says it carried out the third round of strikes this week after the IRGC forces blatantly attacked a Cyprus-flagged vessel. [3] It comes after incidents earlier this week in which three commercial tankers were attacked, prompting an exchange of strikes with the US. [3] Earlier this week, three commercial tankers were attacked as they tried to cross a US-recommended route through Omani waters. [3] The incident prompted a series of US strikes in which 17 people were killed and 115 injured, according to Iranian officials. [3] Iran responded with strikes on US allies in the Gulf. [3] The exchange raised tensions, with US President Donald Trump declaring the Iranian attacks mean the ceasefire is over. [3]
US strikes hit multiple sites in southern Iran including Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. — Source: myjoyonline
Leadership Statements and Calls for Vengeance
US defense secretary Pete Hegseth said simply: Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay. [2] The statement was shared by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who wrote: Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay. [3] The closure follows a call for revenge from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first public statement since taking leadership. [3] His father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, was killed in an air strike on 28 February, on the first day of the US-Israeli war against Iran. [3] He was buried in his home city of Mashhad on Friday. [3] Reading a statement on state television, the new ayatollah said that vengeance was the will of the nation. [3] We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers, he was quoted as saying. [3] The matter depends neither on my personal existence nor on that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will come to pass. [3] Calls for the assassination of Donald Trump were heard at funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad. [3] Many Iranians taking part in funeral ceremonies over the past few days carried placards calling for the killing of US President Donald Trump. [3]
Impact on US-Iran Negotiations
The move threatens to further complicate efforts to salvage US-Iran negotiations after both sides exchanged strikes over the past few days. [2] A key roadblock to a final agreement is the future of the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran insisting it will control shipping through the waterway and Washington demanding unrestricted navigation. [2] Iran has repeatedly said the only safe route is a separate route through its waters. [3] Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the US of violating the deal. [3] However, the US leader said talks would still continue and mediators were trying to revive the process. [3] US media has reported that Iran told American officials the attacks on tankers were a mistake and blamed a rogue internal group. [3] American officials say they have conveyed through mediators the demand that Iran publicly state that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping route, is open and pledge to stop firing on commercial ships. [3] 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 wrote in a statement shared to X. [3]
What to watch next: Mediators continue efforts to revive US-Iran talks while American officials demand public assurances that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that Iran will stop firing on commercial ships.
