Iran and US dispute control of the Strait of Hormuz

The United States Central Command said its forces struck about 140 Iranian military targets in a third round of attacks after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Guard fired on the Cyprus‑flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. described the strikes as aimed at missile sites, drone launchers, naval facilities and communications networks to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.

Iran responded by announcing that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to all vessels, accusing the United States of illegal interference. CENTCOM refuted the claim, stating that the strait remains an international waterway open to lawful navigation and that U.S. forces are positioned to keep it that way. President Donald Trump publicly asserted that the strait is open and blamed Iran’s leaders as “very bad and sick people.”

The exchange follows a fragile Memorandum of Understanding signed in June, which was intended to end hostilities in the Middle East. Both sides have accused the other of violating the cease‑fire, and regional allies—including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain—have reported Iranian missile and drone attacks on their bases. Negotiations remain stalled, and the dispute threatens the flow of roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil through the strategic waterway.