Iran Announces Blocking Entry of U.S. Destroyers into Hormuz as U.S. Changes Rules of Engagement in the Strait

Sudanhorizon – Agencies

The Iranian army announced on Monday that it had prevented U.S. destroyers from entering the Strait of Hormuz, while reports indicated that a U.S. Navy vessel was targeted with two Iranian missiles.
The Iranian army’s public relations department stated that “thanks to a firm and rapid warning issued by the Iranian Navy, the entry of hostile U.S. destroyers was prevented from entering the Strait of Hormuz.”

For its part, the Fars News Agency quoted sources confirming that a U.S. Navy vessel was hit by two missiles. The vessel had reportedly moved earlier on Monday near the port of Jask, in what was described as a violation of maritime security and with the intention of crossing the Strait of Hormuz, before being targeted in a missile attack after ignoring warnings from the Iranian Navy, according to the source.

The sources added that the U.S. vessel was forced to halt its course due to the damage sustained and was compelled to retreat and withdraw from the area.

However, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) denied on Monday that any U.S. Navy vessel had been struck. Meanwhile, American sources told Axios that the U.S. military has changed its rules of engagement, stating that its forces in the Strait of Hormuz will respond to any sources of fire.

Iran had previously announced that any passage through the Strait of Hormuz without official permission would not be allowed, warning that ignoring such directives would be met with a firm response from its armed forces.

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