US launches fresh strikes as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz

July 12, 2026

The United States has conducted a third round of military strikes against Iranian targets after Iran attacked a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz and declared the critical waterway closed. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps retaliated by launching strikes against American military installations in Jordan and firing missiles at US allies including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The escalating conflict stems from earlier incidents this week involving attacks on three commercial tankers, which killed 17 people and injured over 100 according to Iranian officials.

Who is affected

Iranian military forces and civilians (17 killed, 115 injured in earlier US strikes)
US military personnel at bases in Jordan and the Gulf region
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain (targeted by Iranian missiles and drones)
Crew members of the MV GFS Galaxy (one missing, others forced to abandon ship)
Commercial shipping companies and tanker crews operating in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and negotiators

What action is being taken

The US is conducting strikes on 140 Iranian military targets including missile sites, drone facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice
Iran's IRGC is launching attacks on US bases and allies in the region
The IRGC is firing at commercial vessels attempting to use unapproved routes
Mediators are working to revive ceasefire talks between the US and Iran
The crew of the MV GFS Galaxy is abandoning ship and evacuating to lifeboats

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital international shipping route, and its closure severely disrupts global commerce and energy supplies. The escalating military exchanges between the US and Iran threaten regional stability and risk drawing Gulf allies into a broader conflict. Iran's insistence that ships only use Iranian-controlled routes challenges international maritime law and freedom of navigation, while the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement signals potential for further military confrontation. The situation has broader geopolitical significance as it involves multiple nations and could impact global oil markets and shipping.

What's next

Iran has warned it will respond with "severity" to any further US "aggression" and will target new bases in the region
US officials are demanding through mediators that Iran publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open and pledge to stop firing on commercial ships
Talks between the US and Iran are expected to continue despite President Trump declaring the ceasefire is over
Iran has pledged vengeance for the killing of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Read full article from source: BBC