The US military has denied Iranian claims that one of its warships was hit while attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back on reports from Iranian state media that sparked fresh tensions in the already volatile waterway.
The denial came shortly after Iranian outlets reported that missiles had struck a US Navy destroyer, forcing it to retreat.
The US Central Command rejected the account outright, stating that “no US Navy ships have been struck,” and reaffirming that American forces are continuing operations linked to what Washington has called “Project Freedom,” aimed at supporting and guiding commercial vessels through the strait.
The disputed report briefly sent oil markets higher, with Brent crude jumping more than 5% to around $114 a barrel before easing once the US response was released.
Traders reacted quickly to the initial headlines, reflecting how sensitive global energy markets remain to any developments in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions in the region have been building for weeks.
President Donald Trump recently announced the US would begin assisting stranded vessels in the waterway, describing the effort as a humanitarian move to help ships trapped amid the ongoing confrontation.
The operation is expected to involve a significant US military presence, including personnel, aircraft, and naval assets, though details remain unclear.
Iran, meanwhile, has warned that any foreign military movement into the strait without coordination could be treated as a violation of its authority over the area.
Officials in Tehran insist they remain responsible for security in the narrow but strategically vital passage.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes, with thousands of vessels and tens of thousands of seafarers currently affected by the restrictions and instability in the region.
While claims and counterclaims continue to emerge, neither side has provided independently verified evidence of a missile strike on a US warship.
