The US military said it launched a new round of strikes on Iran after Revolutionary Guard forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, prompting Iran to close the strait.
The US Central Command stated in a statement via the X platform that its forces completed a third round of airstrikes this week against Iran, hitting approximately 140 Iranian military targets.
She added that the targets included Iranian missile and drone sites, naval sites, ammunition depots, communications networks and coastal surveillance sites.
The US strikes resulted in the death of an Iranian soldier, according to local media reports.
The Mehr and Tasnim news agencies quoted a local official as saying: “Lieutenant Hamid Reza Dehghani, of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, was martyred during the criminal terrorist attack launched by the United States last night on the port of Jask,” located in southern Iran overlooking the Gulf.
In contrast, Iranian state media reported that the Revolutionary Guard's navy announced early this morning that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, after firing warning shots at a ship that it said had tried to pass through an unauthorized route.
The US Central Command announced that the ship (M/V GFS) sustained significant damage to the engine room and that a civilian crew member was missing.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency also reported that the ship's crew abandoned it and are currently on a lifeboat, in the incident which occurred about 17 kilometers east of Oman.
India announced that 11 of its citizens were aboard a ship that was attacked in waters off the east coast of Oman, amid an exchange of fire between Iran and the United States.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement: “Of the eleven Indian nationals who were on board the ship, 10 have been rescued so far, while one Indian national remains missing.”
Targets in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait
Explosions were heard in the Qatari capital, Doha, today, after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that it had targeted the US Al Udeid Air Base with ballistic missiles, indicating the destruction of a fighter jet maintenance center and its command and control facility.
Air interceptions were observed in the skies over Doha, while residents received text messages urging them to "stay indoors and in safe places."
The Qatari Interior Ministry reported that three people, including a child, were injured by shrapnel from the Iranian attacks.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the renewed Iranian shelling of its territory and the territory of neighboring Gulf states, describing it as a “dangerous escalation,” and stressing the need for an immediate and comprehensive cessation of military operations in the region.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “the continued attacks are a dangerous escalation that will complicate efforts to contain the tension and undermine political endeavors,” adding: “We reserve our full right to respond in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.”
The Qatari Ministry of Transport also announced a temporary halt to sailing and maritime activities, effective Sunday until further notice.
The Ministry of Transport said in a press statement that, “In the interest of public safety, it urges all owners and users of marine vessels, including pleasure boats, fishing boats, jet skis, and all other similar marine vessels, to temporarily cease sailing and engaging in marine activities, effective from the date of this circular until further notice.”
He added that “ships subject to the provisions of international maritime agreements, which continue their operations in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures, are excluded from this.”
She noted that “this temporary precautionary measure comes in coordination with the competent security authorities, calling on everyone to fully comply with what is stated in this circular, stressing that any updates will be announced in coordination with the competent authorities through official channels.
The UAE Ministry of Defense also announced that its air defenses were dealing with missile and drone attacks, while neighboring Bahrain sounded its sirens.
The ministry stated that “the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of the UAE air defense systems dealing with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” while the Bahraini Ministry of Interior urged residents to stay in a safe place and follow warnings and updates on official websites.
The Kuwaiti army said it was currently engaging hostile aerial targets in the country's airspace, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced it had targeted a US military radar site in Kuwait in a "retaliatory operation."
The Guard added that it destroyed logistics support centers and refueling platforms for US aircraft carriers in the port of Duqm in Oman. The Oman News Agency reported that sites in the Musandam Governorate were targeted by drones.
The Guard also reported that it “destroyed a command and control center and hangars for MQ-9 drones at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan,” while the Jordanian army announced in a statement that three Iranian missiles fell on the kingdom’s territory at dawn on Sunday without causing any injuries.
The statement quoted a responsible military source in the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces as saying that “three missiles coming from Iranian territory fell at dawn today in a number of locations within the Kingdom’s territory, without any human casualties being recorded, while the damage was limited to minor material losses.”
He added that “the Royal Engineering Corps teams moved immediately to the sites, and worked to secure them and deal with the missile objects and debris.”
The statement affirmed that Jordanian forces “will not allow the Kingdom’s airspace or territory to be used as an arena for conflict to threaten its security and stability.”
The Strait of Hormuz is at the epicenter of war and diplomacy.
Once again, the war has destabilized the Gulf region, while Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused energy prices to rise, exacerbating global inflation.
Rising prices, particularly gasoline prices, are a politically sensitive issue for Trump ahead of the November congressional elections. Iran said several ships attempted to cross the waterway via an “unauthorized route” and ignored warnings to correct their course.
Senior US officials said the United States is demanding that Iran declare it will cease its attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and that all shipping lanes will be open without tolls. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement, Commitment can only be achieved reciprocally.”
On Tuesday, Washington revoked the license that authorized the sale of Iranian crude oil after three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers were fired upon, prompting the United States to target Iranian sites, while Iran responded by launching strikes on US military sites in Gulf countries.
Although Tehran has not claimed responsibility for the attacks on the ships, analysts believe it resorts to such actions to strengthen its negotiating position. A high-ranking Iranian source said that Iran, the United States, Qatar, and Pakistan agreed to negotiate in a call that mediators attempted to arrange on Saturday, while Araqchi was in Oman, which is trying to mediate an end to the war.
It is not yet clear whether these efforts have been successful.
Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi met in the Sultanate to exchange views on appropriate mechanisms for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Minister.
The Omani News Agency later said that Omani and Iranian negotiators would continue talks “at both the technical and political levels.”
CNN reported on Saturday that Oman had submitted a draft proposal regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which includes freedom of navigation through the southern passage in Omani territorial waters. CNN noted that the plan stipulates that ships transiting the northern passage through Iranian territorial waters would obtain prior approval from Iran, but without incurring fees.
