Iran-US Tensions Escalate: Tehran Claims Missile Strikes on US Warships in Strait of Hormuz

Tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified further in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer, claiming the vessels were targeted after allegedly interfering with Iranian shipping and participating in a maritime blockade. Tehran further claimed that the warships were damaged and left the engagement area.

The US, however, gave a different account, saying its two Navy vessels successfully evaded multiple missiles and that no American personnel were injured. The US subsequently struck three Iranian crude-oil tankers. Iran has warned that continued US action against its vessels would trigger stronger retaliation and said it had also targeted three tankers travelling on unauthorised routes and three US-linked vessels. The latest exchanges have sharply raised concerns over security and shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.