The U.S. military conducted strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on July 12, 2026, following a missile attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that damaged a commercial cargo ship. In retaliation, Iran launched drones and missiles at Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan. The situation escalates tensions surrounding a recent U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at resolving issues in the region.
According to a statement from CENTCOM, the Cyprus-flagged container ship suffered significant damage and a civilian crew member is missing. The U.S. strikes targeted Iranian surveillance radars, missile storage facilities, and launch sites. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. is imposing costs on Iran to prevent attacks on civilian vessels.
The IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed until further notice, citing warnings issued to ships using unauthorized routes. Oman proposed reopening shipping lanes during negotiations, but Iran's delegation could not secure approval for the proposal, which would have restored previous shipping rules. The cargo ship attacked was reportedly following the southern route that Oman suggested reopening without restrictions.