U.S. Military Claims to Have Sunk 6 Iranian Small Vessels
On May 4, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that General Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command, told the media that the U.S. military had sunk six Iranian small vessels attempting to obstruct commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Cooper stated that on the same day, Iran launched multiple cruise missiles and drones at U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels "protected" by the U.S. military. The U.S. military's Apache attack helicopters and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters subsequently attacked these Iranian vessels.
Cooper denied that the U.S. Navy was "escorting" commercial ships in the strait. He said, "If it were just escorting, that would be 'one-on-one' protection. I believe that under the current model, our defensive deployment is far superior; it encompasses a multi-layered defense that includes warships, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, airborne early warning aircraft, and electronic warfare... Compared to a simple escort mission, the defense system we have now is much more comprehensive and extensive."
Earlier that day, Iranian media reported that two missiles had hit a U.S. Navy ship. The U.S. Central Command subsequently denied this on social media, stating that no U.S. vessels had been hit by Iranian missiles.
On the 3rd, U.S. President Trump posted on social media that the U.S. would begin a diversion operation on the morning of the 4th local time in the Middle East, to "guide" vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz out of the strait. The U.S. Central Command later announced on social media that its forces would begin supporting this operation on the 4th, with support including the deployment of missile destroyers, over 100 land-based and sea-based aircraft, drones, and 15,000 troops.
On May 4, 2023, U.S. Central Command reported that U.S. forces sank six Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz that were obstructing commercial shipping. In response to Iranian missile and drone attacks on U.S. Navy vessels, U.S. Apache and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters engaged the Iranian boats. The U.S. also initiated a maritime operation to assist trapped vessels in the area, deploying significant military resources.
- U.S. military sank 6 Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. Navy vessels and protected commercial ships.
- U.S. Central Command denied that any U.S. vessels were hit by Iranian missiles.
- President Trump announced a maritime operation to guide trapped ships out of the Strait.
- U.S. forces deployed over 100 aircraft and 15,000 troops to support the operation.