Tehran hits Gulf states after US strikes, says Hormuz closed; Egypt condemns Iranian attacks

CAIRO – 12 July 2026: Egypt on Sunday condemned Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting several Gulf states after Tehran launched retaliatory strikes following a fresh wave of US military attacks on Iranian targets.

The Iranian attacks reportedly targeted Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, marking a sharp escalation that further undermines the US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

Meanwhile, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly saying it had fired a warning shot at a vessel traveling on an unauthorized route and disabled a second ship.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strategic waterway would remain closed until "the end of US interference in this region."

However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday said commercial vessel traffic continues through the strategic strait, which carried roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG shipments ahead of the war.

Early today, CENTCOM said in a statement that the US forces carried out a third round of strikes against Iran this week, in response to IRGC attacks on Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy while transiting the strait.

"A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage," CENTCOM said.

The US forces targeted around 140 military sites with precision munitions launched by land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels, according to the statement.

Targets included missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communications networks and coastal surveillance positions.

CENTCOM said more than 300 Iranian military targets had been struck over three nights to degrade Tehran's ability to attack commercial shipping transiting the strait.

Video footage of US Central Command forces striking Iranian military targets in response to Iran's attack on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz

Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reported missile or drone threats following the Iranian strikes.

The Kuwaiti army said it is intercepting hostile aerial targets within the country's airspace, adding that explosion sounds heard by residents were the result of air defense systems engaging the incoming threats.

The UAE Ministry of Defense said missile threats detected on Sunday morning were outside the country's borders.

In two separate statements, Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the Iranian attacks, describing them as a dangerous escalation that violated the sovereignty of Jordan, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The ministry warned that the attacks risk undermining efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen regional security, reaffirming Egypt's full solidarity with the Gulf states and its support for their security and territorial integrity.

Egypt also called for an immediate halt to all escalatory actions, stressing that no justification could be accepted for the “unacceptable and reprehensible” attacks against the Gulf countries.

The latest escalation further undermines the interim US-Iran agreement signed last month to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire between the United States and Iran "over" amid the recent escalation of hostilities, while saying diplomatic talks with Tehran could continue.