U.S. Military Slams Iran’s False Claim of Missile Strike in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Fars News Agency, aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Monday that a U.S. Navy frigate was hit twice by missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and forced to retreat. The report described the ship as ignoring Iranian warnings before being attacked, painting a picture of American provocation and Iranian defense.

But the U.S. military was quick to shoot down this narrative. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) took to its official X account to categorically deny the missile strike, stating bluntly, “No U.S. Navy ships have been struck.” Instead, CENTCOM confirmed that U.S. guided-missile destroyers were actively operating in the Arabian Gulf supporting “Project Freedom,” the Trump administration’s latest gambit to break Iran’s effective blockade of the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war ignited. Since the U.S. and Israel launched their conflict against Iran on February 28, tanker traffic has been all but shut down, triggering a historic energy supply shock and sending global prices soaring. The blockade has also heightened geopolitical instability at a time when diplomacy remains fragile.

Trump announced “Project Freedom” on his Truth Social platform Sunday night, promising to escort commercial ships safely through the restricted waters starting Monday morning. CENTCOM confirmed that two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels had already transited the strait safely, directly contradicting Tehran’s claims of a missile strike and forced retreat.

But Trump’s post confirmed the administration’s willingness to escalate force if Iran interferes with this “humanitarian process.” The operation is explicitly designed to pressure Iran by choking off its oil exports, a move experts warn could prolong the conflict for months if not years.

This episode highlights the ongoing pattern of misinformation and aggressive posturing by the Trump administration in the Middle East. Iran’s false claim appears to be a propaganda response to U.S. military maneuvers, but the administration’s provocative naval blockade and threats of force risk dragging the region deeper into war.

As tensions simmer, the American public deserves transparency and accountability from an administration that continues to gamble with military escalation while domestic scandals rage at home. We will keep tracking this story as it develops.