US Navy Denies Report of Frigate Being Hit by Missile

Iran's state-run news agency reported that the Iranian military launched a missile attack on a US Navy frigate attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, causing it to retreat. Citing local sources in southern Iran, Fars News Agency stated that a US Navy frigate attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz near Jask in southeastern Iran, violating navigation and vessel traffic regulations. The agency claimed that the US warship was targeted with missiles after ignoring warnings from the Iranian Navy and attempting to force its passage, and that it was hit by two missiles before turning back and retreating. The Iranian military announced that in the afternoon of the 4th local time, after identifying US Navy destroyers engaged in hostile maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz area, they issued radio warnings and fired warning shots. The Iranian military explained that the US Navy destroyers were detected attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz from the Sea of Oman with their radar turned off and did not respond to warnings that there was a 'risk of violating the ceasefire.' In response, they announced retaliatory fire using cruise missiles, rocket launchers, and combat drones.

The US Department of Defense stated that the Iranian state news agency's report was false. The US Central Command refuted the Fars News Agency report via X (formerly Twitter), stating, "A US Navy warship was not attacked."

The US military announced it is strengthening maritime blockades on Iranian ports in support of 'Operation Freedom.' The US Central Command stated that US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz in support of 'Operation Freedom' and are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf. The US military added that it is supporting the resumption of merchant vessel traffic, and two US merchant ships have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and are proceeding safely. The US military has initiated 'Operation Freedom,' a mission to escort civilian vessels trapped in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz using military aircraft and warships.