US-Iran War Live Updates: US military launches third round of strikes against Iran this week | World News
At the International Maritime Organization’s meeting, protection of vital shipping lanes was discussed. Gulf countries, the United States and Iran clashed over the future of the strait, according to a Reuters report. (Reuters file photo)
The US military carried out a third round of strikes against Iran on Saturday, after Revolutionary Guard forces struck a Cyprus-flagged container ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to US Central Command. The ship, identified as the M/V GFS Galaxy, caught fire and suffered serious damage to its engine room; one crew member is unaccounted for. CENTCOM said the strikes, ordered President Trump, aim to keep pressure on Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the strait. Trump has separately said roughly 1,000 US missiles are trained on Iran, with more in reserve, and warned of an overwhelming response if Tehran tries to have him killed.
Iran has reportedly told US officials privately that the ship attack was the work of a rogue faction and said it wants to negotiate, even as it publicly blames Washington for breaking their agreement. Hardliners within the Revolutionary Guard have called for retaliation over the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei, including threats against Trump, though US intelligence has not identified a concrete new plot. Iran’s Guard navy says it has shut the Strait of Hormuz to shipping until further notice, blaming outside interference and warning of a harsh response to any further US action.Story continues below this ad
Latest developments
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB says three blasts were heard in Bandar Abbas and two in Sirik, both in southern Iran.
US forces began a new round of strikes at 7:15 p.m. ET Saturday, targeting Iran after the attack on the container ship.
Citing a US official, Axios says American forces are hitting Iranian targets in the area around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Press TV says blasts occurred in both locations but gave no details on cause or damage.
Iran’s Guard navy says it fired a warning shot at a ship that ignored orders to change course, and says the strait will stay closed until further notice, threatening severe retaliation for further US action.
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