US Launches Third Wave of Strikes on Iran After Attack on Cargo Ship in Strait of Hormuz

The United States conducted a third round of military strikes against Iranian targets overnight between July 11 and 12, 2026, following an attack on the Cyprus-registered cargo ship GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps directly targeted the vessel, causing a fire in the engine room and disabling it, with one civilian crew member missing. In response, US forces struck approximately 140 Iranian military sites using precision munitions delivered by fighter jets, drones, and naval and ground forces. Targets included missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage, communication networks, and coastal surveillance facilities.

Iran declared a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing ships of ignoring Iranian navigation instructions and threatening further attacks on US bases if retaliated against. Explosions were reported across multiple Iranian cities including Jask, Bandar Abbas, and Bushehr, as well as in Gulf states such as Doha, Bahrain, and the UAE. The exact origin of these explosions remains unclear, with speculation that some may be part of a broader US operation or actions by regional actors opposed to Iranian dominance.

The escalating conflict marks a collapse of a ceasefire memorandum signed a month earlier aimed at reopening shipping lanes. The US maintains a significant naval and air presence in the region, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and continuous air patrols. US Secretary of Defense Pete Geshth condemned Iran's actions on social media, emphasizing repeated Iranian failures to comply with agreements and the US commitment to protect commercial shipping.

Meanwhile, the US ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, criticized unauthorized local US efforts to engage in dialogue with the Iranian UN ambassador, affirming that foreign policy remains under federal control. In parallel, Israel's military reported thwarting Hezbollah activities in southern Lebanon, conducting an airstrike on a weapons cache. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon until the Hezbollah threat is neutralized, despite US pressure for a phased withdrawal.

Efforts by Oman to mediate peace face challenges due to differing interpretations of the agreement and Iran's refusal to relinquish control over strategic maritime routes. The situation remains tense with ongoing military and diplomatic maneuvers in the Gulf region.