Iran Claims It Prevented US Navy Ships from Entering the Strait of Hormuz Following ‘Stern Warning’
Reflecto News | Breaking News | US-Iran Conflict
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — Iran announced on Monday that it successfully prevented U.S. Navy ships from entering the Strait of Hormuz after issuing a “stern warning,” as Tehran escalates its confrontation with Washington amid the launch of President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom” maritime initiative.
The Islamic Republic’s armed forces claimed that the U.S. vessels were forced to retreat after Iran’s navy issued a “swift and decisive warning” against violating the country’s sovereign control over the strategic waterway. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency went further, alleging that an American warship was struck by two missiles near the port of Jask at the southern entrance to the strait after ignoring the warnings. The report claimed the vessel was “unable to continue its course and was forced to retreat and flee the area”.
🚨 U.S. Central Command Denies Strikes, Confirms ‘Project Freedom’ Underway
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) swiftly and categorically denied Iran’s claims. In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM declared, “No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports”.
A senior U.S. official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that a warning shot had been fired by Iranian forces, but that it was unclear whether any vessel had sustained damage. Meanwhile, CENTCOM confirmed that two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, demonstrating that the waterway remains open under the U.S.-led initiative.
In a significant shift from initial reports, two U.S. military officials told Axios that “Project Freedom” may not involve direct naval escorts for commercial vessels. Instead, the operation will primarily focus on providing information to ships about safe routes, particularly when navigating lanes confirmed to be free of mines.
💥 ‘Project Freedom’: A Flashpoint for Escalation
President Trump announced “Project Freedom” on Sunday, describing it as a humanitarian mission to “guide” hundreds of stranded vessels out of the Persian Gulf, where they have been trapped since the outbreak of the war with Iran on February 28.
The announcement drew immediate and harsh condemnation from Tehran. A senior Iranian security official, Ebrahim Azizi, warned that “Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf will not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts”.
This warning was reinforced by Iran’s unified armed forces command, which issued a statement declaring, “We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US Army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz”. The head of Iran’s National Security Commission further stated that “The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are not controlled by the delusional social media posts of President Trump”.
As Iran’s parliament prepares to approve a new “Strait of Hormuz Management Law” — which would permanently ban Israeli vessels and require “war reparations” from hostile nations — the military standoff in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors shows no sign of easing.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Iran’s Claim | Claims U.S. warships were prevented from entering the strait after a “stern warning” and reports a missile strike. |
| U.S. Denial | CENTCOM denies any ships were struck; states forces are supporting “Project Freedom”. |
| Project Freedom | U.S. mission to guide ~20,000 seafarers on ~2,000 stranded ships; mostly information-based, not a direct naval escort. |
| Iran’s Warning | Threats that any U.S. military entry will be considered a “ceasefire violation” and will be “attacked”. |
| On the Ground | U.S. says two American-flagged merchant ships transited the strait successfully. |
| New Legislation | Iranian parliament preparing a law to formalize its control over the strait. |
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