Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz following a series of US strikes on military targets. The US claims that Tehran violated the Memorandum of Understanding by opening fire on ships in and near the strait. Amid the escalation, a civilian container ship was damaged, and the attacks affected several countries in the Persian Gulf.
This is according to Reuters.
What is known about the US strikes on Iran?
The latest escalation began in early July. Even before the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US—which was intended to be the first step toward a peace agreement—Oman, together with the US and its allies, opened the southern channel off its coast to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US side, Tehran perceived this as a weakening of its negotiating position. US officials also claim that Iranian representatives attributed the attacks on ships to the actions of “radical elements” within the country.
On the night of July 8, the US launched strikes against more than 80 Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz and revoked the temporary waiver allowing Iranian oil exports. That same day, US President Donald Trump declared that the truce was “over.”
Which targets did the US strike in Iran?
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US military carried out three more rounds of strikes over the following week. According to Washington, their targets included:
- missile positions;
- drone launch sites;
- naval infrastructure;
- ammunition depots;
- communications hubs;
- coastal observation posts.
What is known about the damage to the container ship M/V GFS Galaxy?
Tehran stated that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after firing a warning shot at the vessel, which, according to Iran, was traveling on an unauthorized route. Iranian authorities also warned of a “harsh response” to any further retaliatory actions.
CENTCOM reported that the vessel in question is the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy. According to the US military, the ship sustained serious damage to its engine room, and one civilian crew member is missing.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center, for its part, reported that the crew had abandoned the damaged vessel east of the Omani coast and was in a lifeboat.
How the escalation has affected other Gulf states?
At the same time, hostilities spread to other countries in the region. Iran claimed to have carried out attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported a strike on a command center and drone hangars at a military base in Jordan, a US ally.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates stated that its air defense systems had shot down Iranian missiles and drones. Qatar reported intercepting a missile attack; explosions were heard in Doha; and an air raid alert was issued in Bahrain.
As a reminder, the Strait of Hormuz has become the subject of new demands from the administration of US President Donald Trump. Washington is demanding that Iran publicly confirm that the strait remains open to shipping and pledge not to attack civilian and commercial vessels.
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