Iran claims strikes on US vessels as tension grows in Strait of Hormuz

Tehran's state broadcaster claimed Iranian forces hit six vessels, including three oil tankers and three American ships, and launched missiles toward a U.S. aircraft carrier in the strategic waterway. An Iranian military source also dismissed U.S. assertions that recent strikes thwarted mine-laying operations in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the narrative "pure fantasy".

The ongoing exchanges follow American strikes targeting Iranian positions on Larak Island. U.S. President Donald Trump maintained that the strait remains open and asserted that Iran faces severe difficulties. However, reports indicate Iranian hardliners intend to leverage control over the corridor to enforce the full terms of a June memorandum, demanding complete sanction relief and the unfreezing of assets. U.S. intelligence officials warned that the Revolutionary Guard could escalate hostilities further.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica