US-Iran war: US CENTCOM launches third round of strikes against Tehran after IRGC attacks ship in Hormuz
The US Central Command on Saturday (local time) announced that the American forces have begun launching their third round of strikes this week against Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Central Command on Saturday (local time) announced that the American forces have begun launching their third round of strikes this week against Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, "At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew member is missing, and the vessel is unable to continue its journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage."
Quick answers to key questions
The latest round of US strikes was triggered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacking a Cyprus-flagged container ship, M/V GFS Galaxy, in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world's oil and gas is transported, making it a critical point of contention in US-Iran relations.
Iran has responded to US airstrikes by launching missile and drone attacks targeting several Gulf countries, asserting that these actions are retaliatory measures against US military operations.
The US military's airstrikes targeted around 140 sites in Iran, including military installations and missile launch sites, aimed at degrading Iran's capability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Yes, commercial ships should be cautious as tensions remain high following recent attacks, and the IRGC has previously threatened vessels using unauthorized routes, leading to increased military activity in the region.
It also accused Tehran of failing to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels.
CENTCOM further 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. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief."
Iran shuts Hormuz again
The development comes shortly after Iran on Sunday (local time) announced that it is closing the Strait of Hormuz "until further notice" after the IRGC fired warning shots at a vessel taking an "unauthorised route."
The move further seems to jeopardise the already strained ceasefire agreement with the US, which the two sides signed nearly a month ago. Earlier this week, the IRGC targeted several vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, following which US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire was over and Washington launched strikes on Iranian targets. The two sides then engaged in tit-for-tat strikes on Wednesday and Thursday.
Iran accuses US of violating ceasefire deal
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who met with his counterpart in Oman on Saturday, accused the US of violating the interim agreement by ending waivers that allowed Tehran to sell crude oil on the open market in US dollars. The waivers were ended in response to the attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump issues fresh warning to Iran
On Saturday, the US President issued a fresh warning to Iran, stating that 1,000 missiles are locked and loaded to target Tehran. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, "1000 Missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!"
His remarks came as Iranians buried the country's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this week, where calls to kill Trump grew.
US-Iran divided on whether technical talks will continue
Despite ordering the attacks, the US President consistently maintained that technical talks with Tehran will continue. According to a CBS News report, he also directed Washington's negotiating team, led by Vice President JD Vance, Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to proceed with the ongoing talks in Muscat, Oman, which began on Saturday.
On the contrary, Iran rejected Trump's contention that peace talks could continue without a ceasefire, saying Washington must meet Tehran’s conditions for resolving transit issues through the Strait of Hormuz and normalising its oil exports.
The recent tensions, along with the US Treasury's decision to revoke a waiver allowing Iran to sell its oil globally, posed the biggest challenges yet to the truce, Bloomberg reported. The US has blamed Iran for attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital energy conduit. Tehran responded to the latest wave of US strikes by hitting back at American bases in the region.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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