U.S. launches more strikes on Iran as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz escalates

By — Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, Associated Press By — Will Weissert, Associated Press Will Weissert, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/us-launches-more-strikes-on-iran-as-the-standoff-over-the-strait-of-hormuz-escalates Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter U.S. launches more strikes on Iran as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz escalates World Updated on Jul 12, 2026 6:13 PM EDT — Published on Jul 12, 2026 11:22 AM EDT DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States launched several waves of strikes on Iran on Sunday over an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz that set it ablaze and left a crew member missing earlier in the weekend. Iran responded with attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman — the nation on the other side of the strait that Tehran has pressed to collaborate in managing shipping traffic. The U.S. military said it was seeking "to degrade" Iran's "ability to attack commercial ships freely transiting" the critical strait. The statement came after a third round of strikes late Sunday night and into Monday in Iran. READ MORE: Fate of Strait of Hormuz challenges talks as Trump and Iran's supreme leader trade threats Iranian state media acknowledged the latest round early Monday but reported no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure in the areas near the strait. It wasn't immediately clear if any military targets have been hit. The first wave of strikes, on Sunday morning, was in response to an Iranian strike on a container ship in the critical waterway the day before. In response, Iran hit Gulf Arab states in an escalating cycle of violence that left the negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the war at the edge of collapse. The U.S. struck again later Sunday. The governor of Qeshm Island near the strait told Iran's state-run IRNA news agency that projectiles were fired at military targets, with no casualties. Explosions were also heard in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad city to the north. A U.S. official said a few strikes targeted missile and air defense systems and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard boats. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss military operations. Iran and the U.S. are nearly at the midway point of the 60-day period of their interim deal aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war. The strait, a key route for the global supply of oil and natural gas and long considered an international waterway, has become a sticking point in negotiations that seem in danger of collapse. "A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, according to a statement. Iran says the strait is closed but the U.S. disagrees The U.S. military earlier Sunday said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone