The United States military has firmly rejected claims by Iran that two missiles struck an American warship attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Tehran's semi-official state news agency, Fars, reported that the warship was forced to turn back after being hit while sailing near Jask island. This incident follows an earlier threat from Iran to attack any US vessels seeking to enter the strategic waterway.
US Central Command's Response
US Central Command (Centcom) stated on X that "no US Navy ships have been struck." However, Centcom did not directly address claims that a warship had been compelled to retreat. The denial comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran previously warning of severe consequences for any foreign military involvement.
Project Freedom Underway
Iran's warning followed US President Donald Trump's vow to free commercial ships stranded in the waterway as part of 'Project Freedom.' This operation aims to guide foreign vessels past Iran's blockade, imposed shortly after the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. Centcom later confirmed that two US-flagged merchant vessels successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz under the guidance of US Navy guided-missile destroyers operating in the gulf.
Trump's Statement
In a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump described the mission as "humanitarian," intended to "free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong." He noted that several ships were running low on food and other supplies. "They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders! For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business," Trump wrote. He added that 'Project Freedom' comes as the US holds "very positive discussions" with Iran, who have reportedly given the US president a one-month deadline for negotiations on a proposed deal to reopen the strait and end the war.
Iranian Reactions
A senior Iranian lawmaker, Ibrahim Azizi, previously warned that any US involvement in managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would violate the ceasefire. He dismissed Washington's role, stating that the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf "would not be managed by Trump's delusional posts." "No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!" he added. Hours before claiming to have struck a US warship, the Iranian military declared it would "respond harshly" to any threat from foreign vessels. Ali Abdollahi, head of the forces' unified command, emphasized that commercial ships and oil tankers must refrain from movement without coordination with Iran's military. "We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces," Abdollahi stated. "We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz."
US Calls on China
Later on Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on China to intensify efforts to help the US end Iran's blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Washington will monitor whether China enhances its diplomatic engagement with Iran, Bessent added.
