U.S. Launches Third Strike on Iran

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has launched a third round of military strikes against Iran this week following an attack by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces on the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, the attack left one civilian crew member missing and caused a major onboard fire and extensive damage to the vessel’s engine room, leaving it unable to continue its voyage.

The U.S. said Iran had been given another opportunity to comply with a previously agreed Memorandum of Understanding after earlier attacks on commercial shipping but had failed to do so.

In response, the United States said it is continuing military operations to impose what it described as a “heavy cost” on Iran by degrading its capability to carry out attacks against civilian mariners and commercial vessels navigating the strategic waterway.

CENTCOM added that the strikes are being conducted under the direction of the Commander in Chief as part of efforts to protect freedom of navigation and safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.