The United States launched fresh strikes against 140 Iranian military targets on July 11, 2026, as Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed indefinitely in response to an attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship, marking a sharp escalation after a fragile ceasefire collapsed just days earlier.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted Iran’s missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal defense systems. The attacks came after Iranian forces struck the M/V GFS Galaxy, a container ship transiting the strait, leaving one crew member missing and the vessel unable to continue its journey, according to Bloomberg reporting.
The latest round of strikes represents the third wave of U.S. military action this week. The escalation began on July 8 when Iran struck three commercial vessels in the strait, triggering what President Trump called the end of the ceasefire. A brief truce between the U.S. and Iran, negotiated in early June, had aimed to de-escalate tensions after months of conflict that began in February 2026, but it unraveled when Iranian forces resumed attacks on commercial shipping.
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz carries significant global implications. The waterway handles approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly one-quarter of global liquefied natural gas, according to Congress.gov research. Any sustained blockade threatens energy supplies worldwide and has already prompted oil prices to rise above $80 per barrel. The closure also disrupts maritime commerce for dozens of nations dependent on the passage.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint throughout 2026. Iran first declared it closed in March after U.S. and Israeli strikes, and subsequent months saw repeated cycles of ship attacks, U.S. military responses, and temporary reopenings. The current closure, declared as indefinite, signals Tehran’s determination to maintain leverage despite the military cost of the ongoing confrontation.
Sources
- Bloomberg — Reported US third round of strikes and Iran’s closure declaration on July 11
- Reuters — Confirmed US struck 140 Iranian military targets and Iran expanded attacks on Gulf states
- CENTCOM — Official U.S. military statement on strike details and target categories
- NPR — Coverage of US strikes after Iranian attack on container ship in Strait of Hormuz
- Congress.gov — Research on Strait of Hormuz oil volumes and strategic importance to global trade
