Strait of Hormuz Closed — "Until Further Notice" (IRGC Strikes M/V GFS Galaxy)

Iran's IRGC Navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed "until further notice" early Sunday, July 12, 2026, after IRGC forces struck the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy for allegedly disabling its tracking system and deviating from an approved route. The vessel suffered a fire and significant engine room damage; one crew member is reported missing, with the rest evacuated by lifeboat per UKMTO. US Central Command launched its third round of strikes against Iran this week in response, stating Iran had been given another opportunity to honor the existing ceasefire Memorandum of Understanding and failed again. The IRGC warned that any retaliation framed around this incident would draw a "severe response." The UAE's crisis management authority separately reported air defenses responding to a missile threat Saturday evening. This closure follows a pattern of repeated Hormuz shutdowns since the war's February start; the strait normally carries roughly 25% of world seaborne oil trade and 20% of global LNG trade.