🚢 Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed: Iranian state media reported that the IRGC Navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed "until further notice," stating it will remain shut until U.S. military operations in the Persian Gulf end. The IRGC said several vessels attempted to use what it described as an unauthorized maritime route, and claimed one ship that had disabled its tracking systems was halted after warning shots were fired after ignoring repeated instructions to return to the designated shipping lane.
Iran also labeled the U.S.-backed southern maritime corridor an "illegal route," warning that any renewed attack on Iran related to the maritime incident would receive a severe response and that additional regional bases would be targeted if Iran again came under attack. The announcement came as diplomatic discussions were underway in Oman, where Washington had reportedly expected assurances that the Strait would remain open. Some analysts argued the public declaration contradicted those expectations and raised questions about earlier Iranian claims that previous maritime incidents had resulted from unauthorized actions rather than official policy.
🎯 United States Expands Military Campaign: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a third round of American strikes against Iran, stating: "Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay."
CENTCOM said operations began after IRGC forces attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz. One civilian crew member remains missing, while severe engine-room damage left the vessel unable to continue its voyage.
According to CENTCOM, Iran had been given additional opportunities to comply with the memorandum of understanding following previous attacks on commercial shipping but failed to do so. The operation was intended to further reduce Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels.
Precision strikes from air, land, and sea targeted approximately 140 Iranian military sites overnight. CENTCOM said more than 300 Iranian military targets have now been struck over three nights and that U.S. forces have facilitated the safe transit of more than 800 commercial vessels carrying roughly 400 million barrels of crude oil since early May.
💥 Operations Across Southern Iran: Iranian media reported explosions or attacks in Kerman, Bushehr, Jask, Kangan, Deir, Asaluyeh, Mahshahr, Sirik, Minab, Bandar Abbas, and Shah Abdullah in Khuzestan Province.
Bushehr, home to Iran's nuclear power plant, was among the reported locations, although there were no reports indicating the nuclear facility itself had been struck. Additional explosions were reported at the Port of Jask, while Iranian media said the Shah Abdullah incident caused no casualties. Air defenses were also reported engaging targets over Mahshahr.
Reports further indicated continued departures of U.S. aircraft from Bahrain, missile launches toward Iran from Bahrain and other Gulf states, Bahraini authorization for U.S. access to its territory and airspace, and numerous unidentified airborne objects crossing Iraq's Basra region toward Iran. Some reports suggested they originated from Kuwait, although this remains unconfirmed.
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