TAMPA July 11, 2026 – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Saturday that American forces have begun the third round of strikes this week against targets in Iran, in direct response to an attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a commercial container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the official CENTCOM statement posted on X, at 7:15 p.m. ET on July 11, U.S. forces initiated strikes after the IRGC “blatantly attacked” the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the strait.
“A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage,” the statement said.
CENTCOM noted that Iran had been given “yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding” after previous accountability measures for attacks on commercial vessels, but “has again failed.”
“In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait,” CENTCOM stated. “The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief.”
This latest action follows a pattern of recent U.S. military responses to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the region. Earlier rounds of strikes this week and in prior weeks targeted Iranian military capabilities linked to threats against shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime passages. Disruptions there have broad implications for global energy markets and international trade.
CENTCOM’s statement did not provide further details on specific targets struck in this round or any immediate Iranian response. The situation is developing.
Official CENTCOM statement (July 11, 2026):
“At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage.
Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but has again failed.
In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief.”
U.S. officials continue to stress that the operations are aimed at protecting international freedom of navigation and deterring further attacks on civilian shipping.
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