The United States military has intercepted multiple missiles and drones launched by Iran and destroyed several of Tehran’s small boats in a fresh escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the incidents occurred as US forces worked to secure safe passage for commercial shipping under a newly announced maritime initiative.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Cooper said US Apache and Seahawk helicopters struck six Iranian boats that were deemed a threat to vessels navigating the strategic waterway.
He added that US forces “effectively engaged” all missiles and drones fired during the confrontation, noting that while some cruise missiles targeted US Navy ships, the majority of projectiles and unmanned aerial systems were aimed at commercial vessels.
“We defended both ourselves and, consistent with our commitment, we defended all the commercial ships,” Cooper said.
The latest clashes come amid the rollout of “Project Freedom,” a US-led effort announced by President Donald Trump to escort and protect shipping traffic through the Hormuz corridor, a critical global energy route.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said seven Iranian boats had been destroyed and claimed there had been no significant disruption to maritime traffic through the strait, aside from a reported incident involving a South Korean vessel. He did not provide further details on the ship.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of rising geopolitical tensions, with ongoing confrontations raising concerns over global oil supply and maritime security.
