Amid the latest rounds of attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy was hit by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier today, 12th July 2026. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, one Indian crew member is missing after the attack, while the remaining 10 have been rescued.
The container ship was struck near the coast of Oman, which caused it to catch fire at sea. The engine room was damaged in the attack, leaving it dead in the water.
Measuring approximately 304 metres in length and 40 metres in beam, M/V GFS Galaxy is a large Cyprus-flagged container ship built in 2009. Operated by GFS Ship Management based in Dubai, the ship had left the port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 9th July.
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region and reiterated its call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution to restore peace and stability. The MEA noted that the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with Omani authorities in the search and rescue efforts, while thanking the Omani government for its support. It stressed that the targeting of commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure must end and that free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways, in accordance with international law, must be restored without delay.
U.S. Central Command also confirmed the incident, and added that US forces launched the third round of strikes this week against Iran in direct response to the attack on M/V GFS Galaxy. The CENTCOM posted on X, “At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage.”
At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 11, 2026
It further stated, “Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but has again failed. In response, 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 strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that Iran had made a poor choice and that it would now pay the price.
According to CENTCOM, the latest round of precision strikes targeted approximately 140 Iranian military sites, including missile and drone facilities, naval capabilities, ammunition storage, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations. These strikes were conducted using land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels.
Over the course of three nights of operations this week, U.S. forces have struck more than 300 targets overall to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial shipping in the vital waterway. CENTCOM emphasised that commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue, and that since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful passage of more than 800 commercial vessels carrying over 400 million barrels of crude oil through the strait.
This latest escalation comes amid a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman region in recent weeks, which have repeatedly placed Indian seafarers in harm’s way. In June, similar incidents involving vessels such as the Settebello and MT Jalveer resulted in the deaths of three Indian crew members and prompted strong diplomatic protests from India, including the summoning of the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires.
