US, Iran exchange strikes in Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran exchanged strikes in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, casting uncertainty over the prospects for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict, according to NBC News.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said US forces attacked an Iranian tanker, after which Iran reported carrying out strikes on US naval vessels in the strait, claiming that three destroyers had been hit.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that an attack had taken place and said American forces carried out retaliatory strikes on Iranian military targets.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces, including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes,” the command said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social that the incident occurred as three US warships were transiting the strait.

"Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers. They were completely destroyed along with numerous small boats, which are being used to take the place of their fully decapitated Navy. These boats went to the bottom of the Sea, quickly and efficiently. Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down. Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air. They dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave! A normal Country would have allowed these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would do it, without question — But they’ll never have that opportunity and, just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST! Our three Destroyers, with their wonderful Crews, will now rejoin our Naval Blockade, which is truly a 'Wall of Steel'," he wrote.

By Tamilla Hasanova