US Launches New Strikes On Iran After Cargo Ship Attack In Strait Of Hormuz

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – The United States launched a new round of military strikes on Iran after a commercial cargo ship was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were carried out after Iranian forces allegedly attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, leaving one civilian crew member missing and the vessel unable to continue its journey due to fire and engine room damage.

Iran, however, gave a different explanation, saying the ship was moving through an unapproved route and was hit by what it described as a warning shot. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy later announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed until further notice, claiming the vessel had ignored warnings while moving through the strategic waterway.

The latest development marks another serious escalation in the wider conflict between Washington and Tehran. Earlier, President Donald Trump had announced major combat operations against Iran on February 28, involving large-scale U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Despite previous negotiations between U.S. and Iranian delegations, tensions have remained high. Both sides had entered talks aimed at reaching a war-ending arrangement based on a memorandum of understanding, but limited strikes continued in late June even as diplomatic discussions were still underway.

Talks in Oman also ended without an immediate breakthrough. According to sources cited in the live updates, discussions focused heavily on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but public statements from Iranian and Omani officials did not meet Washington’s demand for a clear declaration that the waterway was fully open and safe for vessels.

An Omani proposal reportedly discussed during the talks would allow the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz to operate without obstruction, while ships using the northern lane through Iranian territorial waters would need approval from Tehran, though without paying a toll. However, it remains unclear whether the proposal has full support from the U.S. administration or Iran’s leadership.

The situation has also become more sensitive after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed revenge for the death of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the February 28 U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. His statement was released during funeral ceremonies held months after the attack.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the latest developments by saying Iran had made a poor choice after the new round of U.S. strikes was announced. His statement reflected Washington’s position that Iran had failed to comply with previous commitments related to maritime security.