Strait of Hormuz closes - intense conflicts again

Following Iran's attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, American authorities have launched a new series of airstrikes targeting Iran. According to Iranian state media, the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has closed this vital international sea lane until further notice.

Iran states that the vessel in question, which was operating outside the approved shipping lane and with its communication systems disabled, was stopped after warning shots were fired. In response to the Iranian forces' attack on this Cyprus-flagged vessel, the US Central Command (Centcom) confirms it launched its third series of attacks this week.

The Iranian attack caused severe damage to the engine room of the commercial vessel 'MV GFS Galaxy', rendering it unable to proceed. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), quoting military authorities, stated that one civilian crew member is missing, and the rest of the crew had to abandon the ship and board a lifeboat. American authorities say that even after being held accountable for previous attacks, Iran had the opportunity to act in accordance with the memorandum of understanding, but they have again disregarded it. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted on the X (formerly Twitter) social media network, stating that Iran made a wrong decision and now they will have to pay the price for it.

This situation is a continuation of a series of unrest that began earlier this week when Iran attacked three commercial tanker ships attempting to navigate a US-recommended shipping lane in Omani waters. Iran consistently emphasizes that only another route passing through its territorial waters is safe. Iranian officials have stated that 17 people were killed and 115 injured in the US attacks resulting from these conflicts, and Iran, in response, had also launched attacks on US allies in the Persian Gulf region.

In the current climate, US President Donald Trump has stated that the ceasefire has ended due to Iranian attacks. Although Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of violating agreements, Trump mentioned that discussions are still ongoing and mediators are attempting to revive the process. American media reports that Iran has told US officials that the attacks on the tanker ships were a mistake by a misguided faction within. Nevertheless, the US has requested Iran, through mediators, to publicly declare that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and to cease attacks on commercial vessels.

Iran's decision to close the sea lane coincides with the first public statement made by the country's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, after coming to power, in which he called for revenge. His father and former leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike on February 28, the first day of the US-Israel and Iran war, and his body was buried last Friday in Mashhad. The new Supreme Leader, speaking on state television, declared that revenge is the will of the nation and vowed that, whether he and other officials are present or not, they will avenge the blood of the leader and all other heroes from the criminal killers.

Many Iranians attending the funeral ceremonies in Mashhad displayed placards calling for the assassination of US President Donald Trump. Trump had previously warned that in response to any such plan, all areas of Iran would be completely destroyed. Although media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, reported that Israel had provided intelligence to Washington indicating Iran had developed a new plan to assassinate the US President, Trump denied it, telling the New York Post that he has long been at the top of Iran's assassination list.