Iran Claims Strike On US Warship, America Denies Strait Incident

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Monday that Iranian forces launched a missile attack on a US Navy frigate in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim swiftly denied by the United States military.

According to Fars, the vessel was allegedly targeted near the Iranian port city of Jask after it “violated navigation and maritime safety rules” and ignored warnings from Iran’s navy. The report claimed the ship sustained damage and was forced to retreat.

However, the US military’s Central Command dismissed the report, stating on X that no US Navy ships had been struck.

The claim surfaced shortly after former US President Donald Trump announced that American forces would begin escorting ships through the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route, previously used for transporting oil, gas, and fertiliser before the ongoing Middle East conflict escalated on February 28, leading Iran to impose a blockade.

While the exact location of the alleged incident remains unclear, Jask lies roughly 200 kilometres from the narrow strait, which separates Iran from the Arabian Peninsula.

Tensions in the region remain high, with Iran warning that any US military approach to the strait would be met with force. Since the outbreak of hostilities, only a limited number of vessels have been permitted to pass through the waterway.

In response, the United States has reportedly restricted access to Iranian ports since April 13, further intensifying the standoff.