US guided-missile destroyers have entered the Gulf as part of an operation to escort vessels through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, according to the US military, reports RTE.
The warships “are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X, referencing the mission announced by President Donald Trump, reports RTE.
“American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping,” CENTCOM added, noting that “two US-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely continuing their journey.”
Iran’s forces effectively shut down the strait — a vital route for global oil and gas shipments — in response to the US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28, while the US has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, reports RTE.
Mr Trump has extended indefinitely what was initially a two-week ceasefire that paused the fighting, though the conflict and its broader economic consequences remain unresolved.
Earlier, Iran’s navy claimed it had blocked enemy warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz by issuing a “swift and decisive warning,” according to state television, reports RTE.
The semi-official Fars news agency reported that a US warship had been struck by two missiles near the port of Jask at the southern entrance to the strait, forcing it to turn back from its attempt to pass through.
Iran’s armed forces issued repeated warnings to foreign navies not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, stating they would face a “decisive response” if they did so, reports RTE.
A senior US official has denied claims that an American vessel was hit by Iranian missiles, according to Axios.
Separately, authorities in the United Arab Emirates issued an emergency phone alert warning residents of potential missile threats and advising them to seek shelter and await further instructions, witnesses said, reports RTE.
It was the first such alert issued by authorities in recent weeks.
A follow-up message was sent shortly afterwards, informing residents that the situation was safe, reports RTE.
Mr Trump provided limited details about the plan to assist ships and crews that have been effectively stranded in the waterway and are running low on supplies more than two months into the conflict.
“We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social, reports RTE.
Iran’s unified armed forces command responded by warning US forces to stay away from the strait.
It said its forces would “respond harshly” to any perceived threat and urged commercial vessels and oil tankers to avoid movement without coordination with Iran’s military, reports RTE.
“We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces,” Ali Abdollahi, head of the unified command, said.
“We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz,”, reports RTE.
US Central Command said the mission would involve support from 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 aircraft operating on land and at sea, as well as warships and drones.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement, reports RTE.
The International Maritime Organization has said that hundreds of vessels and up to 20,000 seafarers have been unable to pass through the strait during the conflict.
Shortly after Mr Trump’s remarks, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker had been struck by unidentified projectiles in the strait, reports RTE.
The agency confirmed that all crew members were safe following the incident, which occurred 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, though further details were not immediately available.
Iran has blocked most shipping through the Gulf — except its own — for more than two months, pushing energy prices higher, reports RTE.
Some vessels attempting to pass through have reported coming under fire, while Iran has seized several ships. Last month, the US imposed its own blockade targeting vessels linked to Iranian ports.
The Trump administration has sought support from other nations to form an international coalition to protect shipping in the strait, with CENTCOM saying the latest initiative combines “diplomatic action with military coordination”, reports RTE.
It remains unclear which countries will be involved in the operation or how it will function in practice.
The plan may not necessarily involve US Navy vessels escorting commercial ships, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, reports RTE.
Mr Trump warned that any interference with the US-led operation would “have to be dealt with forcefully.”
Global equity markets edged slightly higher this morning, while oil prices remained relatively steady after climbing above $100 a barrel last week amid uncertainty over how and when the conflict will end, reports RTE.
Yesterday, Iran said it had received a US response to its latest proposal for peace talks, a day after Mr Trump indicated he would likely reject it, saying “they have not paid a big enough price.”
Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said negotiations were progressing “very well,” without providing further detail, reports RTE.
Iranian state media reported that the US response to Tehran’s 14-point proposal had been delivered via Pakistan, and that it was now under review, though there was no immediate confirmation from Washington or Islamabad.
“At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to state media, reports RTE.
The comment suggested Iran’s proposal to postpone nuclear discussions until after the conflict ends and mutual blockades are lifted.
The United States and Israel halted their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks ago, and while one round of talks between US and Iranian officials has taken place, further negotiations have yet to be arranged, reports RTE.
The suggestion to delay nuclear discussions appears to conflict with Washington’s demand that Iran accept strict limits on its nuclear programme before any resolution to the war.
The US is seeking for Iran to relinquish its stockpile of more than 400kg of highly enriched uranium, which it says could be used to develop nuclear weapons, reports RTE.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, though it has indicated willingness to consider some restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief. Similar conditions were agreed under the 2015 deal that Mr Trump later withdrew from.
Despite stating he is in no rush, Mr Trump is facing growing domestic pressure to break Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted around 20% of global oil and gas supplies and driven up fuel prices in the US, reports RTE.
His Republican Party also faces the prospect of voter dissatisfaction over rising costs ahead of midterm elections scheduled for November.
Iranian media said Tehran’s 14-point proposal includes demands such as the withdrawal of US forces from nearby regions, lifting blockades, releasing frozen assets, paying compensation, easing sanctions, ending conflicts across multiple fronts including Lebanon, and establishing a new mechanism to oversee the strait, reports RTE.
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