The United States has insisted the Strait of Hormuz remains open despite Iran declaring the strategic waterway closed following a new wave of military exchanges between the two countries. Get today's headlines by email Fighting intensified over the weekend after the US said it had struck more than 140 targets across Iran. Washington said the operation was launched in response to an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of targeting the ship because it was using what Iran described as an unauthorised route. US Vows to Keep Strait Open Amid Escalating ConflictIran announced early on Sunday that the strait was closed until further notice as it sought to tighten control over one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also launched attacks against US bases and regional allies, significantly widening the conflict. The IRGC said it had struck a US military base in Jordan, while the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain all reported intercepting or responding to Iranian missiles and drones. The BBC said it had contacted US Central Command (Centcom) for comment on the reported strike in Jordan. Iran Expands Regional AttacksQatar, which has played a key role in ceasefire mediation, had not come under attack since April, while the UAE had avoided strikes since May. Later on Sunday, Centcom announced another round of attacks on Iranian targets, saying operations had begun at 17:00 ET (22:00 BST). The US military said the strikes were intended to further reduce Iran's ability to target civilian vessels and commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's IRNA news agency also reported that missiles launched by what it described as the "enemy" had targeted Qeshm Island, home to a strategically important IRGC base in the Gulf. Ceasefire Under ThreatThe renewed fighting has cast serious doubt over an interim ceasefire agreement reached last month, which was intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lay the groundwork for a permanent end to the conflict. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire effectively over following Iranian attacks, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the agreement. Despite the escalation, Trump said diplomatic talks would continue as mediators sought to revive the peace process. US media reported that Iranian officials had told their American counterparts that recent attacks on oil tankers were accidental and blamed a rogue internal faction. Commercial Vessel TargetedThe latest escalation began after the IRGC said it had fired a naval cruise missile at a vessel sailing along what it described as an unauthorised route. Centcom said Iranian forces had "blatantly attacked" the Cyprus-flagged MV GFS Galaxy, leaving the ship unable to continue after its engine room was damaged. It added that one crew member was missing. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said military authorities had informed it that the crew abandoned the vessel and escaped in a lifeboat. Centcom said Iran had once again failed to honour previous commitments to protect commercial shipping after earlier attacks. According to the US military, its retaliatory strikes hit 140 Iranian military targets, including missile and drone facilities, communications infrastructure and coastal surveillance sites. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared the announcement on social media, writing: "Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay." Iran confirmed that several coastal military bases and telecommunications towers had been targeted. In response, Tehran said the first phase of its retaliation included strikes on Jordan's Prince Hassan Air Base, claiming it had destroyed the base's command centre and MQ-9 drone hangars. Later on Sunday, Centcom reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and said US forces were positioned to ensure commercial traffic could continue moving through the vital waterway. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X that the "era of one-sided deals is OVER", adding: "We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking." Join the discussion? 13 July 2026
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