politics
U.S. Helicopters Sink Six Iranian Boats in Strait of Hormuz Escort
American attack helicopters sank six Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday during an operation to escort cargo ships. Two U.S.-flagged vessels passed through as part of Project Freedom amid ongoing tensions. Incidents involving South Korean and UAE ships were also reported near the strait.
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com. The action occurred as part of efforts to escort neutral vessels through the waterway, which has seen disruptions for over a month. Two U.S.-flagged cargo ships successfully transited the strait under the new initiative called Project Freedom. A senior U.S. official told Axios that President Trump seeks progress in negotiations with Iran, stating, “The president wants action.
He doesn’t want to sit still. He wants pressure. ” Adm. Brad Cooper, who heads U.S. Central Command, stated that the strait has been cleared of all mines. He added that U.S. fighter jets, helicopters, and ships are facilitating open traffic in the area.
South Korean officials reported an explosion on the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu, which caused a fire in the engine room. Seoul is investigating whether the incident involved an Iranian projectile or mine, with 26 South Korean vessels currently stranded near the strait.
Separately, Abu Dhabi officials said a UAE oil tanker owned by the ADNOC state oil company was targeted by an Iranian drone while attempting to cross the strait. The tanker was empty at the time and was attacked by two drones, according to the officials.
The UK military’s Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that a UAE vessel was ablaze just west of Mina Saqr port along the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has stated that it will not allow any ship to cross the Strait of Hormuz without its permission, describing U.S. escort missions as a provocation. Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, wrote on X, “WARNING.
” Iran claimed it fired two missiles at U.S. warships in the strait, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Fars News Agency, which described them as “cruise missile warning shots” in the Sea of Oman. U.S. Central Command rejected the claim, with U.S. officials stating that America maintains complete control over the Strait of Hormuz.
