US launches third round of strikes on 140 Iranian military targets after IRGC attacks container ship in Strait of Hormuz
In response to an IRGC attack on the Cypriot-flagged M/V GFS Galaxy that left one crew member missing and the vessel ablaze, US forces struck 140 military targets across Iran, the third such operation this week.
Attack on the container ship
On the night of Saturday to Sunday (July 11-12, 2026), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked the Cypriot-flagged container vessel M/V GFS Galaxy as it transited the Strait of Hormuz. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident occurred 9 nautical miles east of the coast of Oman. The aft section of the ship was hit, causing a fire on deck and severe damage to the engine room. One civilian crew member was reported missing, and the vessel was unable to continue its voyage. According to the IRGC, warning shots were fired at the ship before the main attack, because the vessel was attempting to sail without Tehran's authorization.
Today at 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time, US Central Command forces initiated the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked the Cypriot-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, which was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One civilian crew member is missing, and the ship is unable to continue its voyage due to a fire on deck and significant damage to the engine room.
US retaliation strikes 140 targets
In response, US forces launched a large-scale operation beginning at 19:15 Eastern Time on July 11 (01:15 on July 12 in Poland). The strikes targeted 140 Iranian military objectives across the country. According to CENTCOM, the list included missile and drone launchers, ammunition depots, communication networks, naval infrastructure, and coastal monitoring positions. A US official quoted by Axios detailed that the targets also comprised air and ground surveillance radars, missile and drone storage facilities, launch sites, and surface-to-air missile launchers. The Pentagon said precision munitions were delivered from land- and sea-based fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and naval vessels. The operation was described as the third round of American strikes this week, following attacks conducted on the nights of Tuesday to Wednesday and Wednesday to Thursday.
Iran made the wrong choice. Now they are paying for it.
A week of escalating exchanges
Over the three rounds this week, a total of 300 Iranian targets have been struck, according to CENTCOM. The US command stated that commercial shipping through the critical international corridor is now proceeding without disruption. Since May, US forces have provided support to 800 commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, together carrying 400 million barrels of crude oil.
- War between the United States and Iran begins (late February).
- A shaky ceasefire comes into effect.
- Preliminary peace agreement accepted; Iran pledges 60 days of free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
- First US strikes this week (night of July 7-8).
- Second round of US strikes (night of July 8-9).
- US demands Iran publicly declare the strait open by Saturday, July 11.
- IRGC attacks M/V GFS Galaxy; strait declared 'closed until further notice'.
- US launches third strike, hitting 140 military targets in Iran.
- IRGC claims it attacked a second ship and US bases in Qatar and Oman in retaliation.
Ceasefire and diplomatic breakdown
The US and Iran have been at war since late February 2026, with a shaky ceasefire in effect since April 8. On June 17, both sides accepted a preliminary agreement aimed at reaching a lasting peace. Tehran pledged to guarantee free and safe transit through the strait for 60 days. However, Iran continued to assert full control over the waterway, ordering ships to use only its designated route and attributing attacks to vessels that used an alternative route along the coast of Oman. On Friday, July 10, US officials demanded that Iran publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open and commit to not attacking ships. According to Axios, Washington wanted the declaration by Saturday, July 11. Instead, the IRGC attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy that night and announced that the strait was "closed until further notice."
Iran was given another chance to demonstrate compliance with the memorandum... after being held accountable for previous attacks on commercial ships, but once again it failed to meet its commitments.
Iran's counter-moves
Following the US strikes on July 11, the IRGC announced it had attacked a second commercial ship that it said was violating regulations governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The corps also claimed to have struck US military units and bases in Qatar and Oman in retaliation for the American attacks. No further details were provided about casualties or damage from those strikes. The situation continues to threaten the free flow of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf, and US forces remain poised to conduct further operations if Iran does not reopen the strait.
