The US military on Thursday said it intercepted Iranian attacks targeting three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and carried out retaliatory self-defense strikes amid rising tensions and a fragile ceasefire.
The escalation comes just 48 hours after Trump briefly paused ‘Project Freedom' in the Strait of Hormuz — an operation launched to escort ships from multiple countries safely through the restricted waterway — citing significant progress toward a final agreement with Iran.
In a post on X, the US Central Command said that the Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) transited the international sea passage.
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"US.Central Command (CENTCOM) eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes."
It further added that the CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threatens more strikes on Tehran if deal not signed 'fast'.
“Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers. They were completely destroyed along with numerous small boats, which are being used to take the place of their fully decapitated Navy. These boats went to the bottom of the Sea, quickly and efficiently. Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down. Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air. They dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!” he wrote.
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Trump further added: “A normal Country would have allowed these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would do it, without question — But they'll never have that opportunity and, 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! Our three Destroyers, with their wonderful Crews, will now rejoin our Naval Blockade, which is truly a 'Wall of Steel'.
Later, speaking to media, Trump said that Iran was trifled with them today.
"We blew 'em away... If there's no ceasefire, you're not going to have to know. You're just gonna have to look at one big glow coming out of Iran — and they better sign their agreement fast."
However, the President claimed that the talks are going very well, adding, "But they have to understand, if it doesn't get signed, they're going to have a lot of pain."
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