The U.S. military on Monday shot down claims from Iran that it struck an American Navy vessel, as Washington ramps up efforts to secure one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
Officials said U.S. forces are now offering to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds of vessels have been stranded since the Iran conflict erupted. Tehran has spent weeks harassing maritime traffic, attacking some ships, and blocking others that lack its approval.
U.S. Central Command said two American-flagged merchant ships have already “successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz,” with Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Persian Gulf helping escort traffic and reopen the route.
In a post on X, the command said the destroyers crossed the strait “in support of Project Freedom” and that the merchant vessels are “safely headed on their journey.” Officials did not provide details on timing.
The U.S. response came after Iranian outlets pushed claims that a U.S. vessel had been hit near an Iranian port southeast of the strait, accusing it of “violating maritime security and navigation norms” and forcing it to turn back.
The Pentagon flatly rejected the reports, saying, “No U.S. Navy ships have been struck.”
Strait of Hormuz Satellite Image
Tensions spiked again shortly after the U.S. announcement, when authorities in the United Arab Emirates issued an emergency missile alert telling residents to seek shelter. It marked the first such warning since a ceasefire in the Iran war took hold in early April. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The naval escort effort follows a directive from President Donald Trump, who announced the initiative Sunday as part of a broader push to stabilize the region’s shipping lanes.
Military officials say the operation could involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and roughly 15,000 service members, though specifics remain limited. The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center has urged vessels to travel through Oman’s waters, where an “enhanced security area” has been established.
Whether shipping companies will take the risk remains an open question. Insurers and operators have been wary after repeated Iranian attacks in the narrow waterway, which carries a major share of the world’s oil and natural gas.
Iran has blasted the U.S. effort, calling it a violation of the fragile ceasefire that has held for more than three weeks.
Despite its military disadvantages, Tehran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has given it leverage, allowing it to squeeze global energy flows and rattle markets far beyond the region.
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