IRGC Says It Launched ‘Intense’ Missile Attacks on US Navy Ships After ‘Ceasefire Violations’
TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Friday that it carried out an “intense” missile and drone attack against three United States Navy destroyers in the northern reaches of the Persian Gulf, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement distributed by Iranian state media, the elite military force claimed that its operations were a “decisive response” to what it called “ceasefire violations by American terrorists.”
“After the ceasefire violations by American terrorists, the IRGC Navy attacked American destroyers with intense missile and drone operations. The IRGC forces successfully targeted US Navy warships in the northern Persian Gulf, in the vicinity of the 30-30 maritime zone.”
— Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Statement
The IRGC assert that its forces inflicted “significant damage” on US warships and forced them to retreat from the waterway.
The ’30-30 Maritime Zone’
The “30-30 zone” referenced by the IRGC is a key maritime demarcation near the mouth of the Persian Gulf, located east of the Saudi-Kuwaiti border and north of Bahrain. It is a vital chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass.
By launching a major military operation specifically in this corridor, Tehran is broadcasting that it will enforce its threatened blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by force and will target US naval assets directly.
⚔️ The Target: The ‘Three US Destroyers’
The IRGC did not initially name the specific vessels targeted, but US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that the US warships in the area at the time of the attack were the USS Truxtun (DDG 103) , the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) , and the USS Mason (DDG 87) .
The three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are equipped with the Aegis Combat System and are armed with Standard Missiles (SM-2, SM-3, SM-6) and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), all of which are designed to intercept incoming ballistic and cruise missiles. The US claims that these defensive systems successfully intercepted the Iranian barrage.
🇺🇸 Retaliation for Qeshm Strikes
The IRGC’s announcement came after reports of explosions and fires at the Bahman Quarantine Dock on Qeshm Island and the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas. Iranian state media initially described these as possible “terrorist” strikes, but a senior US official confirmed to FOX News that American warplanes carried out “self-defense” strikes against military targets in those locations.
The IRGC categorized the US airstrikes on Qeshm and Bandar Abbas as a “ceasefire violation.” The US military maintains that its strikes were a response to the earlier Iranian missile and drone launches.
As of Friday morning, there have been no reports of casualties aboard the US Navy destroyers. The IRGC’s claim of “significant damage” has not been independently verified.
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
- The Claim: IRGC says it hit 3 US destroyers with missiles/drones.
- The Target: USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason were operating in the area.
- Iran’s Justification: Tehran calls the strikes a response to US “ceasefire violations” (airstrikes on Qeshm and Bandar Abbas).
- The Casualties: No US or Iranian casualties have been confirmed.
- The Escalation: This marks the most significant exchange of fire since the ceasefire; both sides have vowed “crushing” retaliation.
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