A U.S. Navy frigate attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz was struck by two Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman and forced to retreat on Tuesday, Iran's Fars News Agency reported. The U.S. military swiftly denied the claim, saying no such attack had occurred.
Citing local sources in southern Iran, Fars reported that a U.S. frigate had violated navigation and maritime traffic regulations and attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in waters near Jask in southeastern Iran. Jask is a port city adjacent to the Gulf of Oman, east of the Strait of Hormuz.
"Immediately after the U.S. warship ignored warnings from the Iranian navy and pressed ahead with its maneuver, it became the target of a missile attack," Fars reported. "The warship was hit by two missiles and consequently could not continue its navigation, turning around and retreating."
Iran's state broadcaster, citing the military's public affairs office, reported that "the Iranian military's swift and decisive warnings thwarted an attempt by U.S. Navy 'destroyers' to enter the Strait of Hormuz."
In response, U.S. Central Command rejected the claim, stating that no U.S. military vessels had been struck by Iran.
Earlier that morning, the U.S. military launched "Project Freedom," an operation to escort civilian vessels trapped in the Gulf (Persian Gulf) with warships so they could pass through the Strait of Hormuz and escape.
