West Asia war LIVE: U.S. launches strikes on Iran after attack on civilian vessel in Strait of Hormuz

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U.S. Central Command said a short time later that its forces began a third round of strikes against Iran. There were explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, two towns along the shores of the strait, Iran state media reported.

Published - July 12, 2026 07:05 am IST

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz. File

| Photo Credit:

Reuters

July 12, 2026 07:05

U.S. launches new strikes on Iran after container ship hit in Hormuz

Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday “until further notice” after firing on a vessel it said was taking an unauthorised route, prompting U.S. retaliatory strikes that further undermine an already shaky ceasefire.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Sunday they struck and stopped a vessel ignoring repeated instructions to use an approved shipping corridor, according to a statement carried by state news agency IRNA.

“Following this incident... the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region and no vessels will be allowed to pass through,” the Guards said.

Although Iran called the strike on the ship “warning shots”, the US military said Tehran “blatantly attacked” a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

A crew member was missing, and the vessel had been disabled by fire and damage to its engine room, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

“In response, 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,” it said on X.

-AFP

July 12, 2026 07:05

Iran says situation in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask is calm

Iran’s state media says the current situation in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask reported to be calm

-Reuters

Published - July 12, 2026 07:05 am IST