U.S. Central Command Launches Strikes in Response to Attack on M/V GFS Galaxy in Strait of Hormuz; Iran Announces Closure (Report)

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — U.S. Central Command forces began a third round of strikes against Iran on July 11 after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy transiting the strait.

One civilian crew member is missing and the vessel sustained significant engine-room damage and an onboard fire that prevented it from continuing its journey.

Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic until further notice and until the end of U.S. operations in the region. Iranian state media, citing the IRGC Navy, stated that it fired a warning shot at a vessel that had deactivated its tracking system and strayed from approved routes. The vessel stopped after the warning.

The IRGC Navy warned that no vessel would be permitted to cross and that any misstep by adversaries would meet a severe response.

M/V GFS Galaxy Attack And U.S. Response

CENTCOM stated that the attack on M/V GFS Galaxy occurred while the vessel was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One civilian crew member is missing, and the vessel was unable to continue its journey after the attack.

CENTCOM stated the strikes responded to the attack on the vessel and formed part of ongoing efforts to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial ships in the strait. The strikes followed earlier attacks by the United States on July 7 and July 8.

The Iranian warning shot and closure declaration occurred on or around the same date. Iranian state media reported the IRGC Navy action against a vessel that had killed its tracking and deviated from designated routes.

No vessel name, flag, or further identifying details for the vessel referenced in the Iranian statement have been released in open sources. No casualties or damage from the warning shot itself have been reported.

These events follow attacks on three commercial tankers on July 6-7 that the United States attributed to Iran and that prompted prior U.S. retaliatory strikes.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, July 11: “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.”

• Iranian state media citing IRGC Navy, July 11-12: “The IRGC Navy fired a warning shot at a vessel that had killed its tracking and strayed off an approved route in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel stopped. The Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice and until the end of U.S. operations in the region. No vessel will be allowed to cross. Any misstep by the enemy will meet a severe response.”