The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the start of a third round of strikes this week against Iranian targets, at 7:15 PM Eastern Time, corresponding to 2:15 AM Saudi time.

The command stated that these strikes came following an attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on the container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, which flies the Cypriot flag, while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM added that one civilian crew member remains missing, and the ship is unable to continue its voyage due to a fire on board and severe damage to the engine room.

The US command indicated that Iran had been given a new opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the memorandum of understanding after being held accountable for previous attacks on commercial ships, but it "again failed" to comply.

In the same context, CENTCOM affirmed that the United States continues to impose a "heavy cost" on Iran by weakening its ability to attack civilian sailors and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the strikes are carried out under the direction of the US Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.