The United States military intercepted Iranian attacks on both naval and commercial vessels, destroying six of Tehran’s small boats and neutralising incoming missiles and drones, according to a senior admiral.
These clashes happened while US forces were working to facilitate the transit of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is occurring under an operation known as Project Freedom, announced by President Donald Trump.
Admiral Brad Cooper of US Central Command said American helicopters struck “six Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping.” He also confirmed that US forces “effectively engaged” all “missiles and drones that were fired at both us and the commercial ships.” Cooper added that while some cruise missiles targeted US Navy ships, most drones and missiles were aimed at commercial vessels.
“We defended both ourselves and, consistent with our commitment, we defended all the commercial ships,” he said.
US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform claiming seven Iranian boats were hit. He stated that “there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait,” except for a South Korean ship that was hit. He did not provide any further information on this matter.
Iran has denied this US account, with state media quoting an official who said, “The US claim that it sank a number of Iranian war boats is false.”
Tensions escalated further after Iran warned it would oppose any attempt to open the strait without its involvement. In response, Trump told Fox News the country would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacked US-flagged ships.
Source: The Advertiser
