Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, US launches fresh strikes Published July 12, 2026last updated July 12, 2026What you need to know - US launches fresh attacks on Iran - Iranian navy declares it has closed the Strait of Hormuz Follow DW's coverage of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran on Sunday, July 12. Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed. US Defense Secretary Hegseth: 'Now they pay' US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X while reposting the CENTCOM announcement of new strikes (see entry below) that "Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay." UK maritime center reports fire on vessel off coast of Oman The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of an incident 9 nautical miles off the coast of Oman.

"Military authorities have reported that a container ship has sustained damage to the rear of the vessel which has caused a fire onboard," UKMTO said in a statement. Explosions reported in southern Iran Iranian state-run Press TV reported explosions in the southern cities of Bushehr and Asaluyeh. The Mehr news agency also reported explosions being heard in Qeshm Island.

There were also blasts in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. US military launches new attacks on Iran The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has launched fresh strikes on Iran. In a post on X, it said the "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz." The US military said that a civilian crew member was missing and that damage to the vessel prevented it from continuing its journey.

The attacks were being carried out on the orders of President Donald Trump. Iran closes Strait of Hormuz until further notice The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' navy said early Sunday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after several ships attempted to pass through the strategic waterway. A warning shot fired at the vessels struck and stopped one of the ships, the navy said in a statement posted on Telegram.

"The Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice and until the end of America's interventions in the region, and no vessel will be permitted to pass through," the statement said. The statement added that any "new act of aggression against us, it will be met with a severe response, and new enemy bases in the region will be targeted." Welcome to our coverage Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. Early on Sunday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Stay with us as we provide updates throughout the day.