Three U.S. destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz without damage, President Donald Trump said Thursday, warning Iran to quickly sign a deal.
The clash came as part of a fragile ceasefire declared on April 8 after more than 40 days of fighting that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian cities in late February. Since then, Washington has maintained a naval blockade around Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, while Tehran has vowed to retaliate against any unauthorized transit.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said U.S. forces inflicted heavy losses on Iranian attackers, knocking down missiles aimed at the destroyers, incinerating drones in the air, and destroying numerous small boats. He claimed the vessels were being used to replace what he described as Iran’s "fully decapitated Navy."
Trump also warned that "just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently in the future if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST." He added that the three destroyers would now rejoin the U.S. naval blockade in the region.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Thursday that U.S. forces intercepted "unprovoked Iranian attacks" and responded with self-defense strikes as its Navy ships were passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said it retaliated against U.S. military vessels, causing significant damage after they attacked two Iranian vessels near the strait in violation of the ceasefire between the two countries.
After the latest attacks, Trump told reporters that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is still in effect. He also called the U.S. attacks a "love tap."
Trump says US destroyers unharmed in Hormuz clash
Trump says US destroyers unharmed in Hormuz clash
