'We Continue To Operate Freely': Iran Claims To Target US Warships, Washington Fact-Checks

Last Updated:June 05, 2026, 22:57 IST

Iran claims it fired warning missiles at US warships in the Gulf of Oman, forcing retreat, but US Central Command denies any attack as wider Iran-US tensions persist.

As the fate of the peace deal between Iran and the United States hangs in the balance, the Islamic Republic on Friday claimed that its military forced two US Navy destroyers to withdraw from the Gulf of Oman after launching what it described as “warning missiles" toward the vessels, according to reports carried by Iranian state media.

A statement published by the state-run IRNA news agency said Iranian forces fired the missiles after accusing the US of engaging in “maritime misconduct and harassment, as well as the hijacking of commercial vessels and oil tankers." Tehran claimed that the American warships subsequently left the area.

US Denies Attack Claim

The claim was swiftly rejected by the US military. The US Central Command said the reported confrontation never occurred and dismissed the Iranian account.

“Iranian forces did NOT attack or fire at US Navy warships. Doing so would be a gross violation of the ceasefire," the post read.

The US military added that American naval forces continue to operate normally in the region and remain engaged in enforcing Washington’s counter-blockade measures against Iranian ports.

“US forces continue to operate freely in regional waters while fully enforcing the ongoing blockade against Iran," the tweet mentioned.

The latest exchange follows a similar dispute a day earlier. Iran had claimed that its navy targeted a US military vessel serving as a “command and control centre" in the Sea of Oman as it approached Iranian territorial waters. The report, carried by Iranian news agency Tasnim, was again denied by Washington.

Responding to the allegation, the US military stated: “US military assets at sea continue to fly, sail, and operate safely and unimpeded."

Tensions Continue In West Asia

The maritime tensions come amid an ongoing conflict that began on February 28 and has so far resisted efforts at resolution through direct and indirect negotiations.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was “no longer conducting sustained strikes" against Iran, declaring that Operation Epic Fury had concluded. He further claimed the United States had destroyed what remained of Iran’s air force and had been “wiping out their entire conventional navy".

The conflict has also disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish...Read More

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