Iran warned Monday that any U.S. military force entering the Strait of Hormuz would face attack, sharply raising tensions after President Donald Trump said the United States would help guide stranded commercial ships out of the vital waterway.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that two missiles struck a U.S. warship near the port of Jask, close to the southern entrance of the strait, where Iran’s navy maintains a base. U.S. Central Command denied the report, saying no American naval vessel had been hit. Reuters said it could not independently verify the competing claims.
U.S. Denies Warship Strike Claim
The incident followed Iran’s warning to American forces not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after Trump said Washington would “guide out” ships that have been trapped in the Persian Gulf for more than two months.
Trump offered limited details about the operation. As of Monday morning, it remained unclear whether any vessels had accepted U.S. assistance.
In a Sunday social media post, Trump said the U.S. would “guide” ships out of the strait and warned that Iranian attempts to block them “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
The president described the effort, called “Project Freedom,” as a humanitarian mission to help stranded seafarers, including crews on oil tankers and cargo ships facing shortages of food and other supplies. The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised vessels to use Omani waters while crossing the strait and said it had created an “enhanced security area.”
Iran Warns Commercial Ships
U.S. Central Command said it would support the mission with 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 aircraft, warships and drones, while continuing its blockade of Iranian ports.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said in a statement.
Iran’s unified command responded by telling commercial ships and oil tankers to avoid any movement not cleared with Iran’s military.
“We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be co-ordinated with the armed forces,” Ali Abdollahi, head of the forces’ unified command, said in the statement.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive U.S. army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.”
Oil Prices Rise As Shipping Crisis Continues
Crude oil prices edged higher Monday as analysts warned prices were likely to stay above $100 US a barrel with no peace deal in sight and the Strait of Hormuz still largely blocked.
Iran has blocked nearly all Gulf shipping except its own since the war began, disrupting roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments. The blockade has helped push oil prices up by 50 per cent or more and has contributed to jet fuel shortages.
