Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة وإيران تتبادلان ضربات صاروخية وطائرات مسيّرة حول مضيق هرمز
The U.S. and Iran exchanged missile and drone airstrikes around the Strait of Hormuz, escalating a dispute over control and safe transit of the waterway.
According to CNBC, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard told state outlet PressTV it had closed the strait to all ship traffic “until further notice,” while U.S. President Donald Trump disputed that claim and said the strait was open to commercial traffic. The U.S. military said Mr. Trump ordered renewed airstrikes after the IRGC attacked a commercial ship transiting the strait.
U.S. Central Command said the M/V GFS Galaxy, a container ship under the flag of Cyprus, suffered an onboard fire and significant engine-room damage after the Iranian attack, and a civilian crew member was missing. Iran then targeted U.S. facilities in several neighboring countries; Qatar reported intercepting ballistic missiles, Bahrain urged citizens to seek shelter, and Kuwait said it confronted “hostile aerial targets.” The United Arab Emirates and Qatar issued statements condemning the missile and drone attacks and holding Iran responsible for consequences.
The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 to reopen the strait, but Washington and Tehran dispute the deal’s terms. Under the memorandum, Iran agreed to “make arrangements using its best efforts” to ensure safe passage and not to charge a toll for 60 days, yet the pact left precise transit routes undefined. A U.S. expert quoted in the report said the memorandum “did not reach an understanding with respect to the management of ship traffic through the strait.”
Why this matters: the Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for the global supply of oil and natural gas, and the attacks have directly affected commercial traffic — demonstrated by damage to the GFS Galaxy and the missing crew member — while prompting military responses and regional alerts.
What happens next: talks in Oman continue, with Iran’s foreign minister reported in Oman and the country summoning the Iranian ambassador, and a senior diplomat saying France and the U.K. are studying Oman-drafted proposals that could allow voluntary navigational fees under International Maritime Organization support. U.S. Central Command also posted that “the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway” and that U.S. forces are prepared to ensure freedom of navigation.
Related sections: General | Economy/اقتصاد | World/العالم | Arab | Middle East/الشرق الأوسط
