The United States launched major strikes Thursday on Iranian targets near Qeshm Port in the Strait of Hormuz and Bandar Abbas after Iranian forces attacked U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the strategic waterway, according to U.S. Central Command.

CENTCOM said Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones, and small attack boats at the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason as the guided-missile destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman.

No American vessels were hit.

In response, U.S. forces intercepted the incoming threats and carried out what CENTCOM described as “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian military infrastructure responsible for the attack, including missile and drone launch sites, command-and-control facilities, and intelligence and surveillance nodes.

“CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces,” the command said in a statement.

The strikes also targeted Iran’s Bandar Kargan naval checkpoint in Minab, while explosions and air defense activity were reported across Iran, including in western Tehran and the southern Hormozgan province.

Iranian state media reported attacks and exchanges of fire near Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island.

President Trump later added that three U.S. destroyers successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz while under Iranian fire, noting that Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats were destroyed without any damage to the U.S. warships. He warned Iran that the U.S. would respond “a lot harder” in the future if Tehran does not quickly agree to a deal, and said the destroyers will now rejoin the U.S. naval blockade.

The dramatic escalation comes just days after Iran launched approximately 15 ballistic and cruise missiles at the UAE’s Fujairah Port, sparking outrage among Gulf nations after senior Pentagon officials downplayed the incident and said it did not constitute a breach of the ceasefire.

According to Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait temporarily suspended U.S. access to their airspace and military bases for “Project Freedom” — the American-led mission aimed at reopening and securing shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz — before later restoring cooperation.

President Donald Trump had announced Project Freedom earlier this week before partially pausing aspects of the operation amid diplomatic efforts and ceasefire negotiations.

Thursday’s confrontation marks one of the most dangerous direct naval clashes between the United States and Iran in recent years and raises fresh concerns over the stability of one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)