Trump follows through on Iran ultimatum as US launches third round of strikes after Hormuz attack

WASHINGTON, DC: The United States launched a third round of military strikes against Iran on Saturday, July 11, after accusing Tehran of attacking a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, less than 24 hours after the Trump administration warned of consequences if Iran failed to halt attacks on the shipping route. 

US officials had demanded that Iran publicly commit to keeping the strategic waterway open and cease targeting commercial vessels. Instead, Washington said Iran's latest actions prompted another military response ordered by President Donald Trump.

US launches fresh strikes after warning Iran over Hormuz

US officials demanded Friday that Iran stop attacking commercial shipping and guarantee the Strait of Hormuz would remain open, warning that failure to do so would bring further consequences.

"We want them to publicly say that they will stop shooting at ships...every channel in the strait will be open," one US official said. A second official warned Tehran of consequences if it refused "it is not gonna be a great day for them."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) then announced that American forces had carried out a third round of strikes after accusing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of attacking the Cyprus-flagged M/V GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz.

"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," CENTCOM 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. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief," CENTCOM added. 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also responded shortly after the operation began, writing on X, "Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay."

Iran maintains its position despite reports of private outreach

The latest escalation came despite US officials previously claiming Iranian representatives had privately acknowledged responsibility for earlier incidents and expressed interest in continuing negotiations.

"They came back to the table and said, 'We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let's keep talking,'" one senior US official said while describing recent contacts between the two sides.

Iran, however, publicly maintained a different position. Tehran said the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again after its military fired what it described as a warning shot at a vessel using an "unauthorized route." Iranian authorities also indicated the waterway would remain closed until further notice.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said discussions with Oman focused on maritime security and "appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships," while accusing Washington of violating the memorandum of understanding by ending waivers that allowed Iran to sell crude oil internationally.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also reiterated Tehran's distrust of Washington. "We are distrustful of the Americans. During the negotiations, I made it clear to the US vice president that we have no trust in you," Ghalibaf said, according to Iran's state-run IRNA.