Another vessel hit in Strait of Hormuz as Iran maintains closure; Pakistan, Saudi Arabia express concern

The confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified sharply on Sunday after Washington launched a fresh round of airstrikes on Iran’s southern coastal infrastructure, while Tehran announced the closure of the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz “until further notice,” raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

US launches new strikes

The United States carried out its third round of strikes on Iran this week, targeting facilities it said were linked to Tehran’s capability to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), President Donald Trump ordered the strikes following an alleged Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged cargo ship. Iranian state media reported explosions in several southern coastal locations, including the energy hubs of Bushehr and Asalouyeh, as well as the port cities of Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e Dayyer and Sirik near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz

In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, saying no commercial vessels would be permitted to pass until what it called foreign interference had ended.

Iranian state media also reported that the IRGC intercepted a cargo vessel after firing warning shots when it allegedly attempted to transit the waterway without following Iranian instructions.

Cargo ship abandoned off Oman

The latest escalation followed an incident involving a commercial vessel near Oman.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the crew abandoned the damaged ship after it suffered severe damage around 17 kilometres east of the Omani coast.

US Central Command said the vessel was left unable to continue its voyage and confirmed that one civilian crew member remains missing.

Earlier, Iran maintained that it had stopped another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz after it allegedly ignored repeated instructions to follow an approved transit route.

UAE activates air defences

As tensions spread across the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates said it activated its air defence systems in response to a missile threat, highlighting concerns that the conflict could spill over into neighbouring countries.

Trump warns Tehran

The latest developments come days after President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran, warning that the US would respond with overwhelming force if Tehran acted on alleged threats against him.

The Trump administration has also demanded that Iran guarantee safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and refrain from targeting civilian vessels, warning that failure to do so would invite further consequences.