U.S. military says it is striking Iran in response to attack on civilian vessel in Strait of Hormuz

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was closed once again after a warning shot fired by its military struck a vessel using an unauthorised route in the critical waterway, further jeopardising the already tenuous ceasefire agreement with the United States .

U.S. Central Command said a short time later that its forces began a third round of strikes against Iran . There were explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, two towns along the shores of the strait, Iran state media reported.

“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 American military said.

A Cyprus-flagged container ship was hit by Iran and suffered "significant engine room damage," and a civilian crew member is missing, U.S. Central Command said.