Conflicting accounts emerged on Monday over a reported naval incident in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian media claiming a missile strike on a United States warship and American officials firmly denying the assertion.
Tensions escalated after Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that two missiles struck a US naval vessel near Jask after it allegedly ignored warnings to halt its movement.
The report, citing local sources, claimed the ship was forced to retreat from the area following the incident.
The claims followed statements from Iran’s navy that it had issued a “swift and decisive warning” to prevent foreign warships from entering the strategic waterway.
US officials quickly rejected the account, describing it as inaccurate.
A US official said, “The Iranian Revolutionary Guard fabricated a report of a strike on a US navy ship, and this report is false.”
US Central Command also stated that no American naval vessels had been hit.
In a statement posted online, it confirmed that US forces were continuing operations linked to Project Freedom while enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The denial directly contradicted Iran’s narrative and left no confirmation of any missile strike from US sources.
The initial reports triggered immediate reactions in global energy markets.
Oil prices surged sharply following the Iranian claims, with Brent crude rising by more than $4 per barrel within minutes.
Prices later eased slightly after the US denial but remained elevated amid uncertainty.
Analysts noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy supplies, and any perceived disruption can rapidly influence market sentiment.
The developments come shortly after the announcement of Project Freedom, a US initiative aimed at guiding stranded vessels through restricted Gulf waterways.
Iran had previously warned that such actions could lead to naval confrontation, underscoring the fragile security environment in the region.