US Defense Secretary Says Iran Paying Price for Its Actions in Strait of Hormuz

Tehran and Oman have agreed to continue discussions aimed at reaching a mutual understanding to ensure navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Sunday that Iran made a mistake by firing upon a ship in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequently closing the waterway to navigation. He noted that Iran is now paying the price through increased US airstrikes.

Hegseth wrote on the platform X, "Iran made a bad choice, and now it is paying the price," commenting on a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcing the start of a third round of airstrikes against Iran in response to an attack by the Revolutionary Guard on a container ship in the strait.

At dawn on Sunday, US Central Command forces began executing the third series of military strikes against Iran this week, under direct orders from President Donald Trump.

The command stated in a release that the strikes were a response to what it described as a "brazen" attack carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard against the container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, which flies the flag of Cyprus while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The attack resulted in the loss of one civilian crew member and caused the ship to become completely disabled after a fire broke out onboard. The engine room sustained severe damage, preventing the vessel from continuing its voyage.

Following the attack in Hormuz, US strikes targeted Iranian locations.

The statement clarified that Iran had been given an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the "Memorandum of Understanding" after being held responsible for previous attacks but failed once again. Consequently, the United States affirmed it would impose a "heavy price" by continuing to undermine Iran's capability to target civilian mariners and commercial ships in the strait.

According to Iranian media reports, explosions were heard in Asaluyeh, Bushehr, Dayyer, Kangan, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik, as well as in the city of Ahvaz. Some sources mentioned rising smoke columns at Dayyer port amid unconfirmed reports of the port's dock being targeted.

Unofficial reports indicated more than ten explosions were heard in the Asaluyeh area, with no official figures released regarding the extent of damage or casualties.

In the first official comment, reports cited a US official stating that the US military was conducting strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz region in response to an attack on a commercial vessel.

Later, Iran's state broadcasting reported hearing three explosions in Bandar Abbas and two in Sirik, without providing further details about the nature of the targets or the outcomes of the strikes.

A series of explosions shook southern Iran amid escalating US military actions.