Iranian sources: The US military attacked civilian vessels, not Iranian speedboats.
On May 5, Xinhua News Agency reported from Tehran that Iranian media cited sources from the Iranian military stating that the U.S. military did not attack fast boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but rather "two small boats carrying passengers," resulting in the deaths of five civilian passengers on board.
The Iranian Tasnim News Agency quoted the source as saying that in response to the U.S. military's claim of hitting six Iranian fast boats, Iranian investigations revealed that the invading U.S. forces attacked two small boats carrying cargo that were sailing from the Port of Seeb in Oman to the Iranian coast, opening fire and destroying the vessels, which led to the deaths of five civilian passengers. The U.S. must be held accountable for its crimes.
The source also stated that no combat vessels of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were hit, and "the enemy's hasty and clumsy actions stem from the U.S. military's extreme fear and concern regarding the fast boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."
On the 4th, U.S. Central Command Commander Cooper told the media that Iran launched multiple cruise missiles and drones at U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships "protected" by the U.S. military that day, and the U.S. subsequently sank six Iranian small boats.
On May 5, 2023, the U.S. military attacked two civilian boats in the Oman Sea, resulting in the deaths of five passengers. Iranian sources claim these boats were not military vessels but were carrying civilians. The U.S. Central Command stated that the attack was in response to missile launches from Iran towards U.S. Navy ships.
- U.S. military attacked two civilian boats instead of Iranian fast boats.
- Five civilian passengers were killed in the attack.
- The boats were en route from Oman Sea to Iran's coast.
- Iran claims the U.S. must take responsibility for the attack.
- U.S. Central Command reported sinking six Iranian boats.