US Says It Struck Seven Iranian “Fast Boats” in Strait of Hormuz Operation

Mintesinot Niggusie

The United States said it struck seven Iranian “fast boats” in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions intensify in a key global shipping lane where commercial traffic remains heavily disrupted and Washington expands efforts to escort stranded vessels out of the Gulf.

President Donald Trump said US forces targeted small boats operating in the area, stating: “We’ve shot down seven small boats or, as they like to call them, ‘fast’ boats. It’s all they have left.” The US military said helicopters were used in the operation.

The strikes coincided with multiple reports of fresh incidents across the region. The United Arab Emirates and South Korea both reported attacks involving vessels near or within the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The UAE also said a fire broke out at the Fujairah oil port following an Iranian strike.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said events in the strait showed that “there’s no military solution to a political crisis”, adding: “Project Freedom is Project Deadlock.” Iranian state media disputed the US account, reporting that two small cargo vessels had been struck instead and that five civilians were killed, citing a military source.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has been largely disrupted since US and Israeli air strikes on Iran in February escalated tensions. Tehran subsequently restricted passage through the waterway, while Washington imposed measures affecting Iranian ports.

Earlier on Monday, the US said navy destroyers and US-flagged merchant vessels had transited the strait. Iran rejected the claim as “entirely false” and said its forces fired warning shots at a US warship, an allegation denied by the US military. Later, shipping group Maersk said its US-flagged vessel Alliance Fairfax had exited the Gulf under US military protection after being stranded since the February escalation.

The crisis has also affected regional infrastructure. The UAE reported a strike on a tanker linked to state-owned Adnoc, while South Korea said an explosion occurred on one of its vessels anchored near UAE waters. Abu Dhabi described the incident as a “dangerous escalation” and reserved the right to respond.

Trump also outlined a US-led initiative dubbed “Project Freedom” to assist stranded vessels in the Gulf, saying multiple countries had requested help for ships “locked up in the Strait of Hormuz”. He warned that military force could be used if the operation is obstructed.