U.S. Military Claims to Have Sunk Two Iranian Minesweepers in the Strait of Hormuz
On May 25, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that, according to senior U.S. military officials cited by Fox News, two Iranian vessels were discovered attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz on that day. The U.S. military struck them and successfully destroyed them, while also targeting an Iranian air defense missile launch base located at Abbas Port. As of now, the Iranian government has not responded to this incident.
The official stated that the U.S. strikes have now "temporarily ended," and these actions are essentially defensive in nature rather than offensive, with the aim not to break the ceasefire.
U.S. Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said in a statement that the strikes were aimed at protecting U.S. forces "from threats posed by Iranian military forces."
Hawkins claimed that during the ongoing ceasefire, the U.S. military will continue to "defend itself" and "exercise restraint."
When reporting this news, the Iranian Fars News Agency stated that "the U.S. military admits to violating the ceasefire agreement."
According to several Iranian media reports, three explosions were heard late on the 25th in Abbas Port, the cause of which is unknown. Similar explosion sounds were also reported in Sirik and Jask along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. The Mehr News Agency later reported that the situation was under control and there was no need for concern. A reporter from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting later reported from the scene in Abbas Port that the local situation was normal, and the government of Hormozgan Province, to which the city belongs, is conducting further investigations.
Social media reports indicate that two speedboats of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were attacked by U.S. military aircraft on the evening of the 25th, resulting in multiple casualties. In response, Iranian forces fired at U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. military subsequently conducted airstrikes east of Abbas Port, and the Iranian air defense system was activated. However, the overall situation remains relatively calm.
U.S. military forces destroyed two Iranian minesweeping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on May 25, 2023, and conducted airstrikes on an Iranian missile base in Abbas Port. Following these actions, Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels were reportedly attacked by U.S. aircraft, leading to casualties. In retaliation, Iran fired upon U.S. naval vessels in the Oman Gulf, although the overall situation has since stabilized.
- Two Iranian minesweeping vessels were destroyed by U.S. forces in the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. strikes targeted an Iranian missile base in Abbas Port.
- Iranian media reported explosions in Abbas Port and nearby areas following the strikes.
- Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels were attacked by U.S. aircraft, resulting in casualties.
- Iran fired upon U.S. naval vessels in response to the attacks.