US Israel Iran War Latest News: The United States launched another wave of military strikes against Iran after accusing Tehran of attacking a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the operation, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning, saying, “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”
The latest military action marks the third round of US strikes against Iran this week, further escalating tensions between the two countries despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Why Did the US Launch Fresh Strikes?
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest strikes were carried out after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy while it was travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said the military operation began at 7:15 p.m. ET after the alleged attack on the commercial vessel. The US military claimed the ship caught fire and suffered extensive damage to its engine room. One civilian crew member remains missing, and the vessel was left unable to continue its voyage. The Pentagon said Iran had been given “yet another opportunity” to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding aimed at protecting commercial shipping but “has again failed.”
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Pete Hegseth Issues Strong Warning
After the strikes, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted CENTCOM’s statement on X and delivered a blunt message to Iran. He wrote, “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.” CENTCOM also stressed that the military action was carried out “at the direction of the Commander in Chief.”
The US military added that the objective of the strikes was to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten civilian vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. “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,” CENTCOM said.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Iran Closes the Strait of Hormuz Again
Shortly before the US announced the latest strikes, Iran declared that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed once again. Iranian authorities said one of their warning shots struck a vessel travelling through what they described as an unauthorised route in the strategic waterway.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that several ships ignored repeated warnings to change course and said one vessel “was struck by a warning shot and brought to a stop.”
Tehran also announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed “until further notice” and warned it could target “additional enemy bases in the region” if further attacks were launched against Iran.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Explosions Reported Near Strait of Hormuz
Around an hour after Iran announced the closure of the strait, the United States confirmed its latest military operation. Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, two towns located along the Strait of Hormuz, after the US strikes began. CENTCOM said the operation was designed to reduce Iran’s capability to attack commercial vessels using one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, with nearly 20% of globally traded oil and natural gas passing through the waterway before the recent conflict disrupted shipping.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Diplomatic Talks Continue Despite Rising Tensions
The latest military exchange comes even as diplomatic efforts continue between Iran and Oman to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he met with Oman’s foreign minister to discuss “appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships.” Oman later confirmed that both sides had agreed to continue discussions “at the technical and political levels.”
Despite these talks, the latest round of military action has further weakened the already fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Senior US officials have previously maintained that negotiations to strengthen last month’s agreement cannot move forward unless commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is fully secured.
