A US Navy patrol boat has been hit by two Iranian missiles not far from the Strait of Hormuz after it ignored warnings to stay out of the critical waterway, Fars News Agency has reported. It claimed that the boat was “forced to retreat,” without providing information on the damage.
The agency reported on Monday that the unidentified vessel was moving near the Iranian coastal town of Jask, some 140 km from the strait’s narrowest point, and was “violating security and navigation rules [and] intending to pass through” the chokepoint.
The ship did not heed warnings from the Iranian Navy and was targeted by a missile attack, the report said, adding that “the American patrol boat was unable to continue its route due to the hits and was forced to retreat and flee the area.”
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has dismissed the claim, saying that “no US Navy ships have been struck” and that “US forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”
The escalation comes after US President Donald Trump promised on Sunday to “help free up” ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, some of which have been stranded there since late February. According to Trump, the US military will “guide” ships linked to several countries out of the waterway, “so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” while warning that any interference would “have to be dealt with forcefully.”
In response, the Iranian military warned that “any foreign military force, especially the invading American army… will be attacked” if they try to approach the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the report, Axios journalist Barack Ravid said, citing an unnamed US official, that “the rules of engagement for US forces in the region have been changed, and they were authorized to strike immediate threats,” including ships crossing the strait and Iranian missile positions.
The strait accounted for about 20% of global seaborne oil trade before the US-Israeli attack on Iran, but has been de facto closed since the start of the conflict, with only a handful of ships being allowed to pass. The disruption has led to soaring oil prices, with the US national average gas price exceeding $4.4.
Despite the rising consumer costs and a record-high disapproval rating, Trump opted to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran towards a peace settlement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that the US naval blockade is an “act of war” and a violation of the existing ceasefire.
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