The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed early on 12 July that its forces had concluded a new wave of strikes against dozens of targets inside Iran, the most extensive operation since the current cycle of hostilities began. According to CENTCOM statements, the attacks—which lasted over three hours and involved fighter aircraft, warships, and for the first time one-way attack unmanned surface vessels—struck military air-defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats. The stated objective, issued under the authority of President Donald Trump, was to further degrade Iran’s ability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials reported explosions in at least eight locations across Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Markazi provinces, with one fatality and four injuries confirmed in Khuzestan.

Viewed from Tehran, the strikes represent a deliberate dismantling of the diplomatic track. The Iranian foreign ministry said the attacks had “aborted all diplomatic efforts” made in recent months and accused Washington of a “flagrant violation” of the June memorandum of understanding that had paused earlier fighting. Simultaneously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice”, citing the need to end foreign interference, after it had fired on two commercial ships it said had violated transit instructions. Iranian state media underscored that under the June MOU, Iran holds exclusive responsibility for restoring normal traffic in the strait within a 60-day window, but is also required to engage Oman on future management of the waterway—a point Tehran uses to argue that safe passage cannot be guaranteed without its coordination.

From the American vantage point, the strait remains open and under the protection of US naval forces. CENTCOM asserted that Iran does not control the chokepoint, which it called a “vital maritime passageway for global commerce”, and that US assets intercepted an Iranian cruise missile and a drone during the latest exchange. A US official told ABC News that the strikes targeted IRGC air-defence systems and vessels around the strait, and that no American personnel were injured. The White House, while characterising attacks on commercial shipping as “terrorist acts”, has signalled through Axios that technical talks with Iran are continuing, indicating that a diplomatic channel—however strained—has not been formally severed.

The escalation has immediate consequences for energy markets and regional security. Oil prices, which had fallen sharply after the June MOU, rebounded with West Texas Intermediate rising above $74 a barrel in early Tokyo trading. Bahrain’s interior ministry activated civil-defence sirens, urging residents to seek shelter, a reminder of the vulnerability of Gulf states to spillover effects. The IRGC’s closure declaration, even if contested by the US Navy, introduces a new layer of legal and operational ambiguity for commercial shipping, with insurers and operators now facing contradictory claims of authority over the strait. The next factual steps remain uncertain: no new date for technical talks has been announced, and both sides continue to reinforce their military postures while trading accusations over who bears responsibility for the collapse of the brief truce.