Tensions rise in Gulf after Iran fires warning shots at US destroyers near Hormuz

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Iran’s navy said on Monday it fired warning shots near US warships operating close to the Strait of Hormuz, in a sharp escalation of tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

In a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, the Iranian navy said it detected U.S. guided-missile destroyers near the strategic waterway and issued repeated warnings over radio before escalating to “warning shots” to signal what it called the risks of approaching the strait.

The navy said the US vessels initially ignored radio warnings and allegedly attempted to approach the strait in the Sea of Oman with radar systems switched off before being detected again.

Iranian forces then issued a second warning, stating that any entry into the Strait of Hormuz would be treated as a breach of a ceasefire arrangement and trigger a response.

According to the Iranian account, naval forces fired additional warning munitions, including cruise missiles, rockets and drones, in the vicinity of the US ships. It said responsibility for any consequences would lie with the “hostile adversary.”

Iranian military sources, cited by Fars news agency, described the strikes as non-lethal “warning shots” intended to deter further movement toward the strait.

The US military has not independently confirmed the Iranian claims. The US Navy, through Central Command (CENTCOM), said its guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Persian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are assisting efforts to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping.

CENTCOM said two US-flagged vessels had successfully transited the strait as part of a broader operation aimed at restoring maritime traffic in the region. It rejected earlier Iranian media reports alleging that a US ship had been hit.

The operation comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where maritime security has deteriorated during the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its regional adversaries. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass, remains a key flashpoint.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington had launched an initiative dubbed “Project Freedom” to help guide commercial vessels trapped in the waterway, describing it as a humanitarian mission.

“For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we will guide ships safely out of these restricted waterways,” Trump wrote on social media, adding that U.S. forces would begin escort operations immediately.

CENTCOM said the mission involves guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and about 15,000 personnel deployed across the region.

Iran has warned that any foreign military presence near or inside the strait would be treated as hostile. A senior Iranian military official said earlier that U.S. forces would be “attacked” if they attempted to enter the area.

Adding to regional tensions, the United Arab Emirates issued a mobile alert warning residents of potential missile threats and advising them to seek shelter, marking the first such advisory in weeks.

The developments underscore rising risks to commercial shipping in the Gulf, where multiple naval forces are now operating in close proximity amid fears of miscalculation and escalation.