Iran Claims Missile Strike On US Warship In Strait Of Hormuz

Iran’s state-affiliated Fars News Agency has reported that Iranian forces carried out a missile attack on a United States Navy frigate in the Strait of Hormuz, though the US military has firmly denied the claim.

According to the report, the alleged incident occurred near the Iranian port city of Jask, where the vessel was said to have ignored warnings from Iranian naval forces.

“The frigate, which was sailing in violation of navigation and maritime safety rules near (the port of) Jask, was targeted by a missile attack after ignoring a warning from the Iranian navy,” Fars said, without citing a source.

“The American frigate that was hit was unable to continue its journey and was forced to turn back and flee the area,” the Iranian news agency reported.

However, the United States Central Command quickly dismissed the report, stating on X that no such attack had taken place.

“No US Navy ships have been struck,” it wrote.

The claim surfaced shortly after former US President Donald Trump announced that American forces would begin escorting ships through the strategic waterway, a critical global route for oil, gas, and fertiliser shipments.

Tensions in the region have remained high since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28, during which Iran reportedly imposed restrictions on vessel movement through the strait.

Located about 200 kilometres from the narrow passage, Jask sits along Iran’s southern coastline, near one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors separating the Arabian Peninsula from Iran.

While Iran has warned that US forces approaching the strait could face military action, there has been no independent confirmation of any missile strike as of the time of reporting.

Since the escalation of hostilities, Iranian forces have allowed only limited ship movement through the waterway, while the United States has reportedly imposed countermeasures, including restricting access to Iranian ports since April 13.