Washington, DC – US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday, May 4, 2026, denied media reports that Iranian forces had fired two missiles at a US Navy warship in the Strait of Hormuz. This denial came in response to claims published by Iranian state media about a missile attack targeting US military reinforcements in the region.
Iranian claims and American refutation
Iran’s Fars News Agency reported earlier on Monday that two missiles struck a US warship as it attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz. This report followed the Iranian military’s announcement of its intention to block US warships from passing through the strategic waterway. The move is also aimed at escalating tensions in the vital waterway.
For its part, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) quickly issued a statement through its official channels to refute this account.
CENTCOM’s statement read: “Iranian state media claim that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired two missiles at a U.S. Navy vessel; the truth is that no U.S. Navy vessel was damaged at all.”
The “Freedom Project” and the siege continue
In its statement, Central Command emphasized that the U.S. military continues to carry out its missions under “Operation Freedom.” It also affirmed the maintenance of a strict naval blockade of Iranian ports. This operation aims to secure international shipping and prevent any threats that could disrupt the flow of energy and global trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
This conflicting information comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where Washington, through its extensive military presence, seeks to undermine Iranian capabilities and impose strict restrictions on Tehran’s maritime activities. The US Department of Defense warned that any attempt to target warships or commercial vessels would be met with a firm response. It indicated that the narratives disseminated by Iranian agencies are part of a “media war” accompanying the ongoing military escalation in the region.
