Iran claimed on Monday it had forced a US warship to retreat from the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington denied reports that the vessel had been struck by Iranian missiles, in the latest flashpoint over the blocked waterway.
Iran’s navy said it had prevented “American-Zionist” warships from entering the strait by issuing a “swift and decisive warning.” Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency went further, reporting that two missiles had struck a warship near the port of Jask, at the southern entrance to the strait where Iran maintains a naval base. A senior US official immediately denied that account, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid. Reuters could not independently verify either claim.
The incident follows Iran’s warning earlier on Monday that any foreign armed forces attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz would be attacked — a direct response to President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would escort stranded commercial vessels safely out of the Gulf.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive U.S. Army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz,” said Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s unified military command.
Trump had said on Sunday via his Truth Social platform that Washington would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways,” though he offered few operational details. US Central Command said it would commit 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 aircraft, warships and drones to the effort alongside its ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran has blocked nearly all shipping into and out of the Gulf since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, cutting off around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments and driving oil prices up by 50% or more. Hundreds of commercial vessels and as many as 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the waterway, running low on food and other supplies after more than two months of conflict.
(Reuters)