On Thursday, the U.S. military executed a series of defensive strikes against Iranian ports. This came after Iran reportedly carried out an unprovoked attack on a U.S. Navy ship navigating the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials.
The U.S. Central Command reported that the action was a response to intercepting three missile destroyers in the vital waterway leading to the Gulf of Oman, which were armed with missiles, drones, and small boats.
“Iranian forces fired various missiles, drones, and deployed small boats as the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason passed through international waters,” CENTCOM shared on X, adding that no U.S. assets were harmed.
In retaliation, U.S. Central Command targeted Iranian military sites tied to threats toward U.S. forces, focusing on missile and drone launch facilities, command centers, and intelligence locations.
“CENTCOM is not seeking escalation, but is prepared to safeguard U.S. forces,” they noted.
Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin indicated that the U.S. launched retaliatory strikes on Iran’s ports in Qeshm and Bandar Abbas while awaiting a response from Tehran regarding a proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. A senior U.S. official conveyed to Griffin that this attack does not mark a revival of the war, which began on February 28 with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, nor does it signify the conclusion of the ceasefire established on April 7.
The strikes followed recent missile and drone attacks by Iran on significant oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates, marking the UAE’s first strike since the ceasefire was reached. Tehran was accused of targeting the Fujairah oil industrial zone, which is the largest port and oil storage region in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi officials reported that an explosion led to injuries for three Indian nationals and condemned the attack as a “dangerous escalation.” This incident took place as Iran and the U.S. exchanged gunfire near the Strait of Hormuz.
Established in 1983, the Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone is a key commercial storage facility for refined crude oil, strategically located along the Gulf of Oman, beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has targeted this facility multiple times during the ongoing conflict, with a significant fire occurring in March amid extensive regional offensives.
