Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz as US Launches Fresh Airstrikes
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping “until further notice,” prompting the United States to launch a third round of airstrikes this week against approximately 140 Iranian military targets. The dramatic escalation threatens global oil supplies and raises the risk of a full-scale regional war.
Background: A Fragile Ceasefire Collapses
The crisis marks the latest chapter in a conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeded him as Supreme Leader in March and has since vowed revenge.
A ceasefire declared by President Donald Trump on April 7 proved fragile, and on June 17, the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to form the basis for a permanent peace deal. The agreement included provisions for safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. However, according to BBC News, the ceasefire is now effectively over after a series of escalating attacks on commercial shipping.
The Closure and Its Trigger
On July 11, the IRGC Navy announced the Strait of Hormuz was closed after firing warning shots at a vessel taking an “unauthorised route.” The IRGC stated: “The Strait of Hormuz has been closed until further notice and will remain closed until the United States ends its intervention in the region. No vessel will be permitted to transit the strait.”
The triggering incident occurred when Iran fired a naval cruise missile at the MV GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship attempting to sail along a US-recommended southern route. The vessel sustained significant damage to its engine room, and one crew member — an Indian national — remains missing.
US Military Response
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had launched fresh strikes, hitting approximately 140 Iranian military targets including missile and drone sites, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations. Over three nights, the US has now struck more than 300 targets.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.” The strikes were launched from land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels using precision weapons.
Iranian Retaliation
Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles and drones targeting US military sites across multiple Gulf states, including Jordan’s Prince Hassan Air Base, as well as locations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. The IRGC claimed to have destroyed a command-and-control center and MQ-9 drone hangars at the Jordanian base.
Gulf states activated air defense systems in response. Qatar reported three injured, including a child, from falling debris. Kuwait intercepted hostile aerial targets, and the UAE confirmed missile threats outside its borders.
Global Economic Fallout
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately 20-25% of the world’s oil and gas trade passes — has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Brent crude oil rose to approximately $78-80 per barrel, a significant increase from pre-war levels of around $72.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), approximately 6,000 seafarers remain trapped on vessels in the Persian Gulf that cannot safely leave. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said: “These attacks only increase the fear, uncertainty and psychological distress of the approximately 6,000 seafarers trapped on board ships that cannot safely leave the Gulf.”
Diplomatic Confusion and Conflicting Signals
The situation is further complicated by conflicting signals from both sides. President Trump declared the ceasefire “over” but indicated negotiations could continue. US media reported that Iran privately told American officials the attacks on tankers were a mistake and blamed a rogue internal group.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as the country’s chief negotiator, wrote on X: “The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) and US Naval Forces Central Command have stated that the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz remains open and has been expanded to allow two-way vessel traffic, despite Iran’s closure claim.
What to Watch For
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the conflict escalates further or returns to the negotiating table. Key questions include whether Israel will join the latest round of US strikes, how global oil markets will react to a prolonged closure, and whether mediators — particularly Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman — can revive the collapsed June 17 MoU.
As reported by VRT NWS, the situation remains fluid, with both sides signaling a willingness to continue fighting while leaving narrow avenues for diplomacy open.