The United States has launched a new wave of military strikes against Iran after a commercial ship was attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions in the region.

According to the US Central Command (Centcom), the latest military action came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly attacked the Cyprus-flagged cargo vessel MV GFS Galaxy. The US said the ship suffered significant damage to its engine room, leaving it unable to continue its journey, while one civilian crew member was reported missing.

Following the strikes, Iran’s IRGC announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice and warned of a strong response to what it described as US aggression, according to Iranian state media.

Within hours, the IRGC claimed responsibility for attacks on a US military base in Jordan. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain also responded to missiles and drones reportedly launched from Iran.

The latest escalation follows a series of incidents earlier in the week in which three commercial oil tankers were attacked, triggering an exchange of military strikes between Washington and Tehran.

Centcom said US forces targeted approximately 140 Iranian military sites, including missile and drone facilities, communication systems, and coastal surveillance installations.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the crew of the damaged cargo vessel abandoned ship after being instructed by military authorities and were safely evacuated into a lifeboat.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, and the latest developments have raised fresh concerns over regional stability and the potential impact on global energy supplies.