Iran claimed to have allegedly attacked an American frigate with two missiles after an Iranian warning was ignored, as reported by Iran's Fars. However, a senior U.S. official, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, denied that any Iranian missiles hit the vessel, which was also confirmed by U.S. Central Command, UNN reports.
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As Fars noted, "local news sources in the south report that two missiles struck a U.S. Navy frigate." "The frigate, which was moving today (Monday) in violation of traffic and navigation safety near Jask with the intention of passing through the Strait of Hormuz, was the target of a missile strike after ignoring a warning from the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy," Fars writes.
"According to these sources, the American frigate was unable to continue its route as a result of these hits and was forced to turn back and flee the area," Fars indicates.
Meanwhile, CNN points out that the Iranian state news agency IRNA stated that the Iranian navy prevented "hostile destroyers" from entering the Strait of Hormuz. Citing a military statement, IRNA reported that "after a firm and swift warning from its naval forces, the entry of what they called American and Israeli hostile destroyers into the Strait of Hormuz was prevented."
"A senior U.S. official denies that an American ship was hit by Iranian missiles", Axios journalist Barak Ravid wrote meanwhile on X.
U.S. Central Command also denied claims by Iranian state media that an American vessel was hit by Iranian missiles near the Strait of Hormuz. "No U.S. Navy ship has been hit," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
CENTCOM previously stated that its forces would begin restoring freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
"Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy, as we also maintain a maritime blockade," said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
US to deploy destroyers and 15,000 troops to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz04.05.26, 07:13
Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that the "new initiative regarding the Strait of Hormuz will not necessarily involve U.S. Navy ships escorting commercial vessels," according to two U.S. officials.
One official stated, according to the journalist, "that U.S. Navy ships will be 'nearby' in case they need to prevent an Iranian military attack on commercial vessels moving through the strait."
The officials, according to him, said the U.S. Navy would provide commercial vessels with information on the best maritime routes in the strait, especially regarding the use of routes that have not been mined by the Iranian military.