Iran has claimed that its forces launched ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer in the latest escalation.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the two US warships were damaged and forced to withdraw from the area after coming under Iranian missile attacks.
The IRGC Aerospace Force said the vessels were targeted because they were allegedly harassing Iranian ships and taking part in a US-led naval blockade against Iran.
According to a statement carried by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, the warships withdrew after sustaining damage and fearing further Iranian retaliation.
However, the US military has rejected Iran’s claim that the warships were hit.
US Says Warships Evaded Iranian Missiles
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships operating in regional waters.
However, CENTCOM said both vessels successfully evaded the attacks.
The US military also said there were no injuries among American personnel.
The conflicting claims could not be independently verified immediately, leaving the extent of any damage to the US vessels unclear.
The IRGC, meanwhile, described the operation as proof of Iran’s ability to conduct offensive strikes against US military forces.
Iranian forces also warned that continued American military operations against Iran would trigger what they described as “devastating” responses.
Strait of Hormuz Becomes Major Flashpoint
The latest exchange comes amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
The IRGC Navy said on Saturday that it had targeted three US-linked vessels and three oil tankers in and around the strait.
Iran claimed that US forces had previously attacked three Iranian oil tankers. Tehran said its forces responded by targeting three tankers using what Iran described as an unauthorised route through the strait.
The IRGC also said three vessels linked to the United States were targeted in other areas.
Iran has maintained the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the latest US-Israeli military offensive against Iran began on February 28.
The waterway is critical to global energy markets because large volumes of oil and other energy shipments normally pass through the strait.
Tehran Warns Commercial Ships
Iran has warned commercial vessels against relying on US claims that the Strait of Hormuz remains open.
Tehran said ships attempting to use routes that Iran considers unauthorised would do so at their own risk.
The IRGC Navy has also urged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz to remain alert.
It warned ships to avoid what it described as suspicious movements intended to cross unauthorised waterways.
The latest missile claims and counterclaims add another dangerous dimension to the confrontation between Tehran and Washington.
With military forces operating close to a vital global shipping route, further attacks could increase risks for commercial vessels and intensify pressure on already disrupted regional energy flows.
