US Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied Iranian state media claims that Iran struck an American warship attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz.
The claim on the Iranian strike on the American navy vessels comes as the US military maintains an active presence in the Persian Gulf, offering guidance to ships in the strait.
CENTCOM affirmed in the official X account that no US Navy ship had been struck in the support project on the Iranian port blockade.
“Iranian state media claims that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hit a U.S. warship with two missiles. No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports,” CENTCOM clarified.
US President Donald Trump had earlier announced that the Americans would take up the responsibility of helping stranded ships out of the waterway.
Also Read: Global Shipping Rerouted as US Sets Up New Security Corridor Near Oman
US Military Support Project
In a press statement dated May 3, the CENTCOM stated that the Americans would offer military support to restore freedom of navigation at the strait of Hormuz as directed by Trump earlier.
Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, emphasized that the defensive mission was essential to regional security and the global economy.
Additionally, the project would help the military to maintain the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating tension.
Further, he outlined that the initiative on the support project was in partnership with the Department of State and the Department of War to enhance information sharing in support of maritime security in the strait.
For the effectiveness of the project, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members were to be deployed to the strait, effective on May 4.
Additionally, CENTCOM was to deploy guided-missile destroyers during the military support project in the Strait.
Also Read: Iran Slams “War of Choice,” Presses US Citizens to Hold Trump Administration Accountable
Iran Attack on American Navy Vessels
According to the reports by Iranian state media, the Iranians claimed to have launched two missiles that hit a US Navy warship.
The attack by the Iranian was said to have occurred at the southern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz near Jask Island.
According to the Iranian the missile attack on the Navy vessels was launched after it ignored a warning from Iranian naval forces.
Further, the Iranian naval forces explained that the vessel was forced to retreat from entering the strait.
However, a US official has affirmed the denial claims of the CENTCOM, citing that the report on the attacks is fabricated while speaking to the Al Jazeera.
“The Iranian Revolutionary Guard fabricated a report of a strike on a US Navy ship, and this report is false,” said the official to the Al Jazeera.
Iranian officials have yet to make an official response and clarification on the alleged fabrication of the missile attack on US Navy vessels.
Currently, reports amid the ongoing war in the Strait indicate that an estimated 20,000 seafarers aboard about 2,000 ships have been stuck in the Strait since the US-Iran war began in February.
