Summary:

In the week since President Trump declared the June ceasefire with Iran over, repeated Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz triggered four waves of U.S. precision strikes, including the first combat use of sea drones. U.S. Central Command conducted operations on July 7, 8, 11, and 12, targeting Iranian military assets. On July 14, CENTCOM announced it will resume blockading maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting at 4 p.m. ET, while continuing to facilitate compliant and humanitarian traffic. Iran responded to earlier strikes with attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf. CENTCOM stated Iran had been given multiple opportunities to uphold prior understandings but continued its actions. As of July 14, the situation remains fluid with heightened restrictions on shipping.

 

Detailed Report

 

1. Ceasefire Collapse and Iranian Vessel Attacks

President Trump declared the June ceasefire with Iran over on July 8 during the NATO summit in Ankara. The declaration followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command reported that Iranian forces struck three vessels in the days leading to the July 7 strikes, specifically naming the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and the Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity. On July 11, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, leaving the vessel with significant engine-room damage from fire and one civilian crew member missing. CENTCOM described these incidents as unwarranted aggression and clear violations of the ceasefire that targeted civilian mariners in an international waterway.

 

2. Four Waves of US Precision Strikes

U.S. Central Command conducted four waves of precision strikes against Iranian military targets in direct response to the vessel attacks, followed by innovative sea drone operations. Strikes began on July 7 with a series of powerful operations hitting more than 80 targets, including air defense systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites, and over 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats. Additional strikes were launched on July 8 to further degrade Iran’s capabilities. After the July 11 attack on M/V GFS Galaxy, CENTCOM initiated what it explicitly called the third round of strikes this week, striking approximately 140 targets that included missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations. Further strikes on July 12 marked the fourth wave in the sequence. On July 12/13, CENTCOM forces employed multiple one-way attack surface drones, including three Corsair unmanned surface vessels, to successfully strike a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base. This marked the first time American forces have used sea drones in combat operations. CENTCOM stated that these strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping. Across the operations this week, U.S. forces hit more than 300 targets using air, naval, and unmanned systems.

 

3. Iranian Retaliatory Actions

Iran conducted retaliatory strikes against U.S. military facilities in the region following the American waves. Iranian forces targeted bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, with activity also reported affecting positions in Qatar. Iranian state media framed the responses as necessary measures against U.S. aggression. U.S. Central Command publicly refuted Iranian claims that three American service members had been killed in Kuwait, confirming that all U.S. personnel were accounted for with no reported deaths or injuries. CENTCOM also directly countered Iranian assertions that foreign vessels required Iranian identification and monitoring to transit the strait, stating that Iran does not control the international waterway and that traffic continues to flow.

 

4. Resumption of Maritime Blockade

On July 14, U.S. Central Command announced it will resume blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas beginning at 4 p.m. ET. The measure follows a previous blockade period implemented from April 13 to June 18. CENTCOM stated it will redirect compliant vessels, disable non-compliant ships, and continue allowing humanitarian aid vessels to pass. All mariners have been advised to monitor Notices to Mariners and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches.

 

Conclusion

The past week has seen four U.S. strike waves against
Iranian military targets threatening commercial shipping, the first combat use
of sea drones against Bandar Abbas Naval Base, and the July 14 resumption of a
maritime blockade on Iranian ports. Iran has retaliated with strikes on U.S.
bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. As of July 14, no further strike rounds
have been reported, though shipping in the Strait of Hormuz now operates under
active enforcement measures.