Iran's navy prevented “US-Zionist” warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, state television reported, while the Fars news agency said two missiles hit a US warship near Jask Island after it ignored Iran's warnings.
Reuters could not independently verify the information, and there was no immediate response from the United States. Britain's Commercial Maritime Operations Agency had announced early Monday that an oil tanker had reported being hit by unknown projectiles in the strait.
Iran had warned US forces on Monday not to enter the strategic route for the global economy after President Donald Trump said the United States would “guide out” of the area the ships stuck in the Persian Gulf due to the blockade imposed on the strait.
Iran's new threat to ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
Trump offered few details on the plan to support the ships and their crews, which are stuck on the vital route and are running low on food and other supplies more than two months into the conflict.
“We have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waters so that they can resume their operations freely and efficiently,” Trump said in a message posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.
In response, Iran's unified command told merchant ships and oil tankers to avoid any movement that is not coordinated with the Iranian military.
“We have repeatedly said that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of ships must be coordinated with the armed forces,” Ali Abdollahi, head of the unified command of Iran's armed forces, said in a statement.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive United States military, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.
The US announces a massive military operation in support of ships in the Persian Gulf
Almost immediately after the start of the war, Iran almost completely blocked shipping to and from the Gulf, except for its own ships, halting about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments and causing oil prices to rise by 50 percent or more.
The United States Central Command, which in turn is blocking Iranian ports to pressure Tehran, said it would support the rescue operation with 15,000 troops and more than 100 land and sea aircraft, as well as warships and drones.
“Our support for this defensive mission is critical to regional security and the global economy while also maintaining the naval blockade,” Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement.
