The United States carried out another airstrike on Iran on the 12th (local time), shortly after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released that it would close the Strait of Hormuz. The United States moved to a military response immediately after Iran attacked civilian merchant ships and said it would block a key global energy artery. It was the U.S. military's third strike since launching operations on the 7th.
According to a compilation of reports by major outlets on the 12th (local time), the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it began new strikes against Iran at the direction of President Donald Trump. Central Command said, "The United States continues to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and merchant vessels transiting the strait freely and is imposing a heavy cost." It disclosed only that the attack had begun, without specifying the strike locations, number of targets, or munitions used. Iranian authorities also did not immediately detail the damage from the U.S. bombing or their response plans.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared CENTCOM's release on X that it had begun strikes against Iran and said, "Iran made a lousy choice. They will now pay the price."
The latest U.S. strikes came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy. According to the U.S. military, the vessel's engine room was heavily damaged after the hit. A fire broke out on board, and one crew member was reported missing. After the attack, the Revolutionary Guard claimed several ships had turned off their tracking devices or entered unauthorized routes, and that it fired after one of them ignored warnings to change course. The United States, however, characterized it not as a mere warning but as an attack targeting a civilian ship.
Foreign media said explosions and flames were witnessed across Iran that day. Russia's state-run Tass news agency, citing Iranian outlets, reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz as well as in Asaluyeh and Bushehr in southern Iran. Asaluyeh is home to Iran's largest refining facilities. Bushehr is the only place in Iran with a commercial nuclear power plant.
Reuters, citing Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, reported that three explosions were reported in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and two in Sirik. According to IRIB, explosions were also reported in Chabahar in southeastern Iran.
The Associated Press, citing experts, said the United States conducted the operation as an extension of two rounds of strikes carried out after the 7th. On the 7th, the U.S. military hit more than 80 targets in Iran with precision-guided munitions. According to officials, air defenses and command-and-control networks, coastal radars, anti-ship missile assets, and more than 60 IRGC small craft were categorized as strike targets. The very next day, on the 8th, it added about 90 more targets, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance facilities, missile and drone depots, naval assets, and logistics infrastructure. Adding this third round of strikes is expected to further increase the actual scope of hits beyond the roughly 170 targets previously struck.
The United States and Iran have been locked in a protracted dispute over interpreting the transit clause for the Strait of Hormuz mentioned in their agreement ahead of talks. The Revolutionary Guard released that it would close the Strait of Hormuz until further notice after the GFS Galaxy attack that day. Iran had been discussing with Oman and civilian shippers how to ensure safe passage through the strait. But with the Revolutionary Guard declaring a blockade that day and the United States also moving to an immediate military counterstrike, experts said the two sides entered a phase where military action was taking precedence over negotiations.