The United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
US military said the strikes were carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.
US CENTCOM said the attack on the commercial vessel left a civilian crew member missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage.
Explosions were heard in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik following the attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran has closed Strait of Hormuz until further notice. Iran’s IRGC Navy said the sea route was closed following an incident involving a vessel that attempted to use an unauthorised route.
The force said no ships will be allowed to transit through the strategic waterway until what it called US interference in the region ends. The announcement came after the IRGC claimed it fired a warning shot and stopped the vessel.
IRGC Navy said any attempt by the enemy to use the recent Strait of Hormuz incident as a pretext for further action will invite a severe response.
The US is demanding that Iran make a public statement saying the Strait of Hormuz is open and that ships crossing the vital corridor will not be attacked anymore.
Senior US officials said that internal power struggles in Tehran have made it difficult to reach and keep a deal.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran will continue despite tensions. His comments came as the fragile interim agreement came under strain following renewed military exchanges in the region.
Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz must remain under its control and maintains its demand that vessels passing through the strategic waterway pay fees. Iran said it has exclusive authority over activities in the strait.
However, Oman has proposed having two separately managed routes for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – one through Iranian waters and another through Omani waters.
Tehran had rejected a similar proposal in earlier discussions, insisting on a single management system involving both countries.
Iranian officials remain concerned that separate routes could allow ships to bypass Iranian waters, reducing Tehran’s leverage in negotiations