Iran fires warning shots near U.S. ships
Tehran warns vessels over Hormuz amid tensions
Iran’s navy says it fired cruise missiles, combat drones and rockets near US warships that approached the Strait of Hormuz after allegedly ignoring warnings and operating with transponders off. Tehran described the actions as “warning shots,” accusing the vessels of attempting to enter the strait in “dark mode” and saying any passage without Iran’s permission would breach a ceasefire it cited.
State media and military sources said Iran is fully prepared to block foreign warships and will not tolerate what they described as US “bullying,” noting the strait has been under Iranian control since early in the conflict and that nearly 3,000 ships and around 20,000 sailors remain stranded. Iran says it may reopen the waterway only if US and Israeli forces end their aggression and lift a naval blockade.
US Central Command denied any US ships were struck, saying no vessels have been hit, and affirmed support for an operation to escort trapped commercial ships while maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports. The US announced a plan to guide stranded ships out—calling it a humanitarian effort—prompting warnings from Iran that all movements must be coordinated with its military.
