Iran claims its missiles hit US warship in Strait of Hormuz, American navy denies

3 min read Updated: May 4, 2026 07:50 PM IST An Iranian tugboat floats in the foreground as cargo ships sit at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran. (AP) Iran’s navy on Monday claimed that it had prevented the entry of enemy warships into the Strait of Hormuz and the semi-official Fars news agency reported that a vessel was hit by two missiles while it was sailing through the key waterway “in violation of traffic and shipping security,” however, American navy has denied the claims. The US Central Command denied the charges of American navy ships being struck in the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian military and clarified in a post on X, “No US Navy ships have been struck. US forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.” 🚫 CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hit a U.S. warship with two missiles. ✅ TRUTH: No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports. pic.twitter.com/VFxovxLU6G — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 4, 2026 According to Fars report, an American warship was “forced to retreat and flee the area”. The Iranian media, quoting military’s public relation arm, stated that “With a firm and swift warning from the Islamic Republic Navy, the entry of American and Zionist enemy destroyers into the Strait of Hormuz was prevented.” The Fars report added that the US warship was hit by two missiles which was sailing near the port of Jask at the ​southern entrance ​to ⁠the Strait of Hormuz and returned from its attempt to pass through the strait. Iranian military had issued several warnings on Monday to navies of foreign countries to not cross the Strait of Hormuz or they would face a “decisive response”. Meanwhile, the US military in its latest update stated that two American-flagged merchant ships have “successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz” on Monday. The announcement came as standoff between Iran and US deepened after Washington proposed a new offer to guide commercial ships through the key waterway. Trump warns of ‘forceful’ response if Iran interferes US President Donald Trump , while announcing America’s plan to “guide” ships through the Hormuz, warned Iranians that any effort to block the proposal “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.” Trump described the effort as “Project Freedom” but Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency called the US president’s “Project Freedom” part of his “delirium.” The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: Strait of Hormuz US Iran tensions