US strikes Iran after Strait of Hormuz closure

London, July 12: The United States launched a new round of airstrikes on Iran after Tehran attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions in the Gulf. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the strategic waterway had been closed until further notice, claiming the Cyprus flagged ship had switched off its tracking systems and strayed from an approved route before being targeted, BBC reported.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out its third round of strikes this week after Iranian forces "blatantly attacked" the vessel. According to the US military, the ship suffered major damage to its engine room and was unable to continue its voyage. One civilian crew member was reported missing. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed the operation, saying Iran had made "a poor choice" and would face the consequences, BBC stated.

Iran defended its actions, saying the vessel ignored repeated warnings before being stopped by naval missile fire. State media said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in effect until further notice. The IRGC also warned that any US military response to the closure would be met with severe retaliation, including attacks on American bases in the region, BBC mentioned in its report.

The latest confrontation follows attacks earlier this week on three commercial oil tankers using a US recommended shipping route through Omani waters. Iran has long insisted that vessels should instead use routes passing through its territorial waters. The earlier exchange of strikes reportedly killed 17 people and injured 115 in Iran, according to Iranian officials, while Tehran also launched attacks against US allies in the Gulf, according to BBC..

The renewed fighting has cast doubt on efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire. US President Donald Trump declared that Iran's latest actions effectively ended the truce, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the agreement first. Despite the accusations, both sides have signaled a willingness to continue indirect talks through regional mediators. US officials have urged Iran to publicly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and guarantee the safety of commercial shipping, BBC added.

The crisis comes days after Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed revenge in his first public address since succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a February airstrike during the US Israel conflict. He pledged to avenge those killed in the war, saying the pursuit of justice would continue regardless of who remained in office, BBC said.