US Launches Third Major Airstrike on Iran This Week After Strait of Hormuz Attack

Tehran: The United States launched another major airstrike on Iran, hours after Tehran warned a commercial vessel that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz without its authorization. The operation, carried out by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), began at around 5.45 am, according to the US military.

It marks the third major US airstrike on Iran this week.

The strikes followed an Iranian attack on the Cyprus-flagged cargo vessel MV GFS Galaxy, which was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said one civilian crew member aboard the ship remains missing following the incident.

The US military said the operation was aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and naval traffic passing through the strategic waterway. It added that the strikes were carried out under the direct orders of US President Donald Trump.

"Iran made a very bad decision, and now they are paying the price," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X.

Iran has maintained that ships should not transit the Strait of Hormuz without its permission. Following the latest developments, Tehran declared the strategic waterway closed, escalating tensions in the region.

Iran has said its objective is to counter what it describes as US attempts to establish dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and expand its influence in West Asia.