The U.S. military denied an Iranian media report that an American warship attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz was hit by Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman and retreated.
On the 4th (local time), Iran's Fars News Agency reported that a U.S. Navy frigate attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz was hit by two Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman and retreated.
Fars, citing local sources in southern Iran, said a U.S. frigate attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz in waters near Jask in southeastern Iran in violation of navigation and ship passage regulations. Jask is a port city adjacent to the Gulf of Oman east of the Strait of Hormuz.
Fars reported, "The U.S. warship became the target of a missile attack immediately after ignoring the Iranian Navy's warning and pressing ahead with maneuvers," adding, "The ship was hit by two missiles and, as a result, could not continue its voyage and turned its bow to retreat."
Iranian state television, citing the military's public affairs office, also said, "With the swift and resolute warning by the Iranian military, the attempt by U.S. Navy 'destroyers' to enter the Strait of Hormuz was thwarted."
In response, the U.S. military issued a rebuttal saying Iran's claim was not true.
U.S. Central Command, which operates in the Middle East, said on X (formerly Twitter), "Fact check. No U.S. Navy warship was struck," adding, "U.S. forces are supporting 'Project Freedom' and tightening the maritime blockade on Iranian ports."
Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, also reported, "To block the U.S. warship's entry into the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian forces fired warning shots," adding, "It is not certain whether the (U.S. warship) sustained damage."
Earlier in the day, the U.S. military launched the 'Project Freedom' (Liberation Project) operation, escorting with military aircraft and warships to support the safe departure of civilian vessels staying in the Persian Gulf.