---
title: "Third Round: US Resumes Strikes on Iran After Attack on Ship in Strait of Hormuz"
description: "The US launched a third strike on Iran in a week in response to an attack on a Cypriot ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces set fire to a container ship, and Tehran announced the closure of the strait. The White House is preparing for a protracted conflict. 🚢🇺🇸🇮🇷"
date: 2026-07-12T00:14:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/third-round-us-resumes-strikes-on-iran-after-attack-on-ship-in-strait-of-hormuz
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Third Round: US Resumes Strikes on Iran After Attack on Ship in Strait of Hormuz

![US military personnel with Polish insignia against the backdrop of the American flag, symbolizing international presence in the conflict zone following the attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/12/ssha-vznovili-udary-po-iranu-posle-ataki-na-sudno-v-ormuzskom-prolive/ssha-vznovili-udary-po-iranu-posle-ataki-na-sudno-v-ormuzskom-prolive-1.webp)

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has sharply escalated. On the night of July 12, the United States resumed military operations against Iran, launching a third round of strikes in a week. The direct cause of the escalation was an attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a civilian vessel passing through this strategically vital waterway.

### Attack on M/V GFS Galaxy and US Response

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), published on the social network X, the incident occurred at 19:15 Eastern Time. Iranian forces attacked the container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, flying the flag of Cyprus. As a result of the attack, a fire broke out on board, and the engine room suffered significant damage, making further movement of the vessel impossible.

Among the consequences of the attack is a missing member of the civilian crew. In its statement, the command emphasized that Iran had the opportunity to demonstrate compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding but once again ignored calls for restraint. In response, Washington launched strikes on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief to weaken Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping.

### Washington's Stance and Closure of the Strait

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth commented on the events by reposting a CENTCOM message, stating: "Iran made the wrong choice. Now it has to pay for it." In the White House, according to Axios, preparations are already underway for a prolonged conflict scenario that could last for days or weeks.

Parallel to the US strikes, Iran announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran claims that the vessel attempted to pass through an unauthorized route, which served as the pretext for the use of force. This decision exacerbates the situation, considering that earlier this week, Tehran had already attacked three merchant vessels.

### Strike Targets and Prospects for Negotiations

Journalist Barak Ravid of Axios, citing an unnamed Pentagon official, reported on the specific targets of the new airstrikes. The ceasefire regime, which was in effect after the first two nights of mutual attacks, was officially terminated, as stated by US President Donald Trump.

Currently, Washington is demanding a public statement from Iran regarding the opening of the strait. Despite the military escalation, the parties have formally agreed to continue the negotiation process, although tensions in the region remain at a critically high level.