Illustrative image. (U.S. Central Command)
Iran launched two missiles at a United States Navy vessel after it attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the Fars news agency reported on May 4.
According to the semi-official news agency, the U.S. vessel was “targeted in a missile attack after ignoring a warning from the naval forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Citing local sources, the news agency reported that the vessel was hit by the missiles and it was “unable to continue its course following the strikes and was forced to retreat and flee the area.”
Contradicting Fars’ report, a senior Iranian official later told Reuters that the Islamic Republic fired what he described as “warning shots” at the American vessels.
From its side, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) denied that any of its vessel was struck close to the Strait of Hormuz.
“No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports,” the command said in a post to X.
The development came just a day after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will begin an effort to “guide” stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz — a choke point for around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas. The strategic waterway has been under de facto Iranian control since the start of the American-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic more than a month ago.
In line with Trump’s plan, CENTCOM launched “Project Freedom” to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, just a few hours into the mission, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker had been hit by unknown projectiles while transiting about 78 nautical miles north of the city of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
The tanker, Barakah, belongs to the Abu Dhabi state oil firm ADNOC, which said that it was empty when it was attacked by two drones launched from Iran.
Amid these developments, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on X, citing an American official, that the rules of engagement for U.S. forces in the region have been changed. He added that U.S. forces were now authorized to strike immediate threats against ships that cross the strait, including Iranian fast boats or missile positions.
The latest moves by the U.S. indicate that the war on Iran could resume very soon. Any strike against the Islamic Republic will certainly be met with a response.
Meanwhile, Project Freedom is unlikely to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran has many means to keep the waterway under tight control.
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