The United States launched another round of military strikes against Iran on Sunday after accusing Iranian forces of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing an already fragile ceasefire closer to collapse.
The latest operation marks the third wave of US strikes within 24 hours. Washington said the action was aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten civilian shipping through one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. Tehran, meanwhile, denounced the strikes as unlawful and warned that countries facilitating attacks on Iranian territory could themselves face military action.
CENTCOM says strikes ordered after attacks on commercial shipping
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces began the latest operation at 5 pm Eastern Time under orders from the Commander in Chief.
“At 5 pm ET today, US Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said.
“The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.”
At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026
According to US officials cited by multiple American media outlets, the strikes focused on areas around the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s southern coastline.
CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on civilian ships transiting the waterway. He said US aircraft also intercepted an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone.
“We’re holding Iran accountable,” Hawkins told The New York Times.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Jask, Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Qeshm in Hormozgan province. Initial reports said there were no civilian casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure.
US media reports said American forces struck about 140 Iranian military targets overnight. Fox News reported the total number of targets hit over the past three nights had crossed 300.
Iran condemns US action, warns countries assisting attacks
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of the UN Charter and accused Washington of breaching the ceasefire while destabilising the region.
In a statement, the ministry warned that any country allowing its territory or military facilities to be used for attacks against Iran could be treated as a legitimate target.
“The territory or facilities of any country used to launch military attacks against Iran may be regarded as the origin of aggression and treated as a legitimate target for defensive operations by the Iranian armed forces,” it said.
Tehran also rejected remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump about recent talks in Muscat, calling them “a complete lie.”
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the Muscat discussions were focused on arrangements related to managing the Strait of Hormuz and safeguarding international shipping rather than the issues described by the US President.
The ministry also criticised the United Nations Secretariat for what it called an inadequate response and urged the UN Security Council and Secretary-General to hold the United States accountable for violating international law.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on X that the conflict should not be described as a “military confrontation.”
“This is not a ‘military confrontation.’ It is the continuation of a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression initiated on February 28 by the United States and Israel,” he wrote.
Mr. Spokesperson,
This is not a “military confrontation.” It is the continuation of a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression initiated on 28 February by the United States and Israel.
Iran does not “attack.” Iran’s strikes on U.S. military bases and assets stationed in the… pic.twitter.com/KQVkc2DbZL— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) July 12, 2026
Baghaei said Iran’s attacks on US military bases and assets in the southern Persian Gulf were acts of self-defence under international law. He also urged the UN to press countries hosting US forces to stop allowing their territories to be used for attacks on Iran.
Regional tensions grow as UN calls for immediate talks
Iran launched retaliatory attacks over the weekend against US-linked targets and neighbouring countries.
Kuwait said three northern border posts suffered material damage. An offshore drilling platform owned by Kuwait Oil Company was also hit by a drone, leaving one worker injured.
Iran claimed it had targeted US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers in Kuwait. CENTCOM rejected reports that American troops had suffered casualties.
“There are zero reports of US service member deaths or injuries in the region,” it said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced concern over the renewed hostilities, citing Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, US strikes inside Iran and Iranian attacks on neighbouring countries.
“These attacks must all stop,” Guterres said.
He warned that a return to full-scale fighting would have “catastrophic consequences” for the region, international peace and security, and the global economy.
“I urge Iran and the US to urgently resume negotiations and to address outstanding issues through diplomacy,” he added.