The United States says it carried out “self-defense” strikes after Iranian forces targeted American warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military confirmed that American forces struck Iranian military targets on Thursday after missiles, drones and small boats allegedly attacked three U.S. Navy destroyers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to U.S. Central Command, the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta and USS Mason came under what it described as “unprovoked” Iranian attacks while moving toward the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM said all incoming missiles and drones were intercepted and no American assets were damaged.
In response, U.S. forces launched strikes targeting Iranian missile and drone launch sites, command centers and surveillance facilities believed to be linked to the attack.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gave a different account, claiming the strikes were retaliation for earlier U.S. attacks on an Iranian oil tanker and coastal areas. The IRGC also claimed American warships suffered “substantial damage,” a statement strongly denied by U.S. officials.
Donald Trump later described the U.S. response as a “love tap” and insisted the fragile ceasefire between both countries remains active.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said the U.S. was prepared for the confrontation and warned Iran against further escalation. He also repeated that the United States would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
The latest exchange has raised fresh concerns over stability in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.