Iran Attacks Merchant Vessel and Declares "Full Closure" of Strait; U.S. Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes

[Anchor]

We begin with news on the war in Iran. After Iran completely blocked the Strait of Hormuz and attacked a civilian merchant vessel, the United States launched airstrikes on the Iranian mainland. Iran responded with large-scale strikes on U.S. military bases, once again escalating the crisis toward an all-out war.

Correspondent Lee Hanseok reports.

[Reporter]

As of this morning (July 12, KST), Iran has once again attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel was engulfed in flames, with its engine room severely damaged, and one civilian crew member is reported missing.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed they fired warning shots at a ship using an unauthorized route and declared a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz until U.S. intervention ends.

The U.S. Central Command immediately retaliated by striking approximately 140 military targets within Iran using fighter jets, drones, and precision-guided munitions.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth confirmed the airstrikes, stating that Iran had made a poor choice and would now pay the price.

Iran responded with an unprecedented, large-scale counterattack.

The IRGC announced that it had attacked U.S. command and control centers, drone hangars, and Patriot air defense batteries in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan using drones and ballistic missiles.

With hardliners who oppose negotiations leading the attacks on merchant ships and retaliatory strikes—fueled by anti-American sentiment following the funeral of former Supreme Leader Khamenei—Supreme Leader Mojtaba, the son of Khamenei, has also vowed revenge and signaled a hardline response.

[Mojtaba Khamenei / Supreme Leader of Iran (Read by Anchor) : We swear to take revenge for the noble blood shed by you and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and shameful murderers.]

The ongoing armed conflict has rendered the 60-day ceasefire agreement void, and the intense standoff between the U.S. and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz has plunged the Middle East back into turmoil.

(Video coverage: Oh Jung-sik, Video editing: Kim Byeong-jik)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.