Strait of Hormuz – The Persian Gulf – The US military denied Iranian claims regarding the targeting of an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, confirming that Tehran’s account is completely baseless in the latest development amid ongoing regional escalation.
US Denial of the Iranian Narrative
CBS News reported that Iranian state media claimed forces hit an unmanned US vessel attempting to enter a sector of the Strait of Hormuz deemed restricted by Tehran. The network quoted US Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins describing the Iranian claim as a “total lie,” denying that any American vessel was targeted.
Iran Claims Target of US Vessel
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) previously announced that its naval forces targeted an American military unmanned surface vessel, alleging it attempted to transit the strait via an unauthorized route. The Iranian announcement followed hours after naval escalation, where Tehran claimed strikes on oil tankers and US-linked vessels across various zones after American strikes hit Iranian oil tankers.
Sustained Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
The exchange of claims occurs as Washington and Tehran continue their confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for international shipping and global energy supply. The United States maintains that its naval and military operations in the region are ongoing, whereas Iran warns vessels against using unapproved routes, escalating concerns over fresh clashes in the strategic waterway.