The United States has launched a third wave of military strikes against Iran after a commercial cargo ship came under attack while travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest action was ordered after the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container vessel, was struck while transiting the strategic waterway.

According to CENTCOM, one crew member remains missing and the ship has been left stranded after sustaining a fire onboard and extensive damage to its engine room.

“Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels, but has again failed,” the statement said.

“In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait.”

Iranian media reported explosions in the southern port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island, which houses an underground Iranian missile base in the Persian Gulf.

Earlier, Iranian authorities acknowledged targeting the GFS Galaxy, claiming the vessel had breached maritime rules by travelling through an unauthorised route.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it now considered the Strait of Hormuz closed “until further notice”, following the incident.

“A vessel that had jeopardised maritime security by switching off its systems was struck and brought to a halt,” the Revolutionary Guards navy said in a statement, warning that any retaliatory action would be met with a “severe response.”