Tehran, Iran. Iran said on Monday it forced a US warship to retreat from the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington denied Iranian media reports that the vessel had been struck by Iranian missiles.
Iranian claims and US denial
Iran’s navy said it prevented “American-Zionist” warships from entering the strait by issuing a “swift and decisive warning.” Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that two missiles had struck a warship near the port of Jask at the southern entrance to the strait, where Iran maintains a naval base.
A senior US official denied the account, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid. Reuters said it could not independently verify either claim.
Warnings over foreign forces in the strait
Earlier on Monday, Iran warned that any foreign armed forces attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz would be attacked, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would escort stranded commercial vessels safely out of the Gulf.
“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,” said Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s unified military command.
US escort plan and military deployment
Trump said on Sunday on Truth Social that Washington would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways,” without providing operational details.
US Central Command said it would commit 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 aircraft, warships and drones to the effort, alongside its ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Impact on global shipping and energy markets
Iran has blocked nearly all shipping into and out of the Gulf since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, cutting off around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments and driving oil prices up by 50% or more.
Hundreds of commercial vessels and as many as 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the waterway, with supplies running low after more than two months of conflict.
What impact do you expect continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz to have on global energy prices?