Iran opened fire on US warships, 6 small boats destroyed in retaliation: Centcom
Iran opened fire on U.S. warships in the Middle East on Monday and the U.S. military retaliated, destroying six Iranian small boats, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom) leader Adm. Brad Cooper.
The U.S. military intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones as the Trump administration launched an effort to help ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively choked off during the conflict, Cooper said in a call with reporters Monday.
Cooper told reporters he “strongly advised” Iran to steer clear of U.S. military assets as the Pentagon proceeds with “Project Freedom.” He added that the U.S. naval blockade, which has been barring vessels departing from Iranian ports from leaving the region, will remain in effect.
Multiple U.S. Navy destroyers are positioned in the Persian Gulf, Cooper said, adding that the U.S. has cleared an “effective pathway” through Iran’s mines for commercial ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessels in the Persian Gulf represent 87 different countries , Cooper said. He added that the U.S. military has reached out to dozens of ships and shipping companies in the last 12 hours to “encourage traffic flow” through the Strait of Hormuz as part of President Trump’s Project Freedom.
Cooper’s comments come as two cargo ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, with U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers protecting vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Tensions have been simmering between the U.S. and Iran, threatening the ceasefire that has been in effect since last month.
Iran also fired on U.S. allies along the Persian Gulf on Monday.
The United Arab Emirates reported missile and drone launches over its airspace, with its defense ministry saying it intercepted three cruise missiles while a fourth one landed in the sea.
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