Seven Iranian “small boats” have been destroyed in the Strait of Hormuz, according to US President Donald Trump, as tensions escalate around the strategic waterway.
Providing an update on his administration’s military operation dubbed “Project Freedom,” Trump claimed the vessels represented the remaining Iranian presence in the area.
“We have shot down seven small boats, or ‘speed boats’ as they call them,” he said in a post on Truth Social. “That’s all they have left. Apart from the South Korean ship, there are currently no reported casualties in the strait.”
Trump also accused Iran of targeting international shipping. “Iran has been attacking several unrelated countries, including a South Korean cargo ship, in connection with the movement of ships in Project Freedom. Perhaps it is time for South Korea to join in on the mission!” he added.
Earlier, US Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, said American forces had already destroyed six Iranian boats and intercepted cruise missiles and drones, warning Iranian forces to stay clear of US military assets. “We have an enormous amount of capability and firepower concentrated in and around the Strait,” Cooper said.
The United States Central Command confirmed that a naval blockade of Iran remains in place, restricting vessels from entering or leaving Iranian territory. It also said that about 50 commercial ships have altered their routes due to the situation.
A US guided-missile destroyer, the USS Pinckney, is currently patrolling the area to monitor commercial traffic and enforce the blockade.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Washington and Gulf Arab nations are preparing a UN Security Council resolution to condemn Iran’s actions in the Strait.
On the other side, Iranian officials pushed back against US claims, insisting they still control the waterway. “Our message to the American aggressor forces is clear; if they approach, they will be targeted,” a senior security source said, according to Tasnim news agency.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also warned that any unauthorised maritime activity would face consequences. “Any other maritime activity that contradicts the declared principles of the IRGC Navy will face serious risks, and violating vessels will be stopped by force,” the group said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, and the latest developments have raised fears of further escalation in the region.