President Trump announced an initiative to "guide" commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning, prompting threats from Tehran to fire on ships that did not coordinate with its military. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper reported that Iran subsequently fired cruise missiles at Navy ships and drones at commercial vessels. All were "engaged" and no U.S. Navy ships or U.S.-flagged vessels were hit, he said.
The exchange marks a significant escalation in a confrontation that has put the two countries on the verge of a return to full-fledged war. The U.S. is attempting to break Tehran's chokehold on the vital shipping lane through a combination of force and diplomacy in New York.
Cooper stated that six Iranian small boats were eliminated by U.S. forces, including by military helicopters. CENTCOM earlier said it had helped two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels cross the strait, and Cooper noted that multiple U.S. destroyers remained in the Gulf to assist additional ships.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied any ships had passed through the strait in recent hours, adding: "Any other claim is baseless propaganda." The denial underscores the information war accompanying the military confrontation.
The immediate risk is a broader conflict that could disrupt global oil supplies passing through the strait, a chokepoint for about 20% of the world's petroleum. Diplomatic efforts at the United Nations may determine whether this incident remains an isolated exchange or spirals into sustained hostilities.