Iran said it struck a US Navy vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim swiftly denied by Washington, as Tehran simultaneously unveiled a new map asserting expanded control over key maritime zones in the strategic waterway.
Providing further details, Iranian media reported on Monday that two missiles hit the American warship near Jask Island in the country’s south after it ignored warnings to halt, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
"The vessel, which had been sailing through the Strait of Hormuz today in violation of traffic and shipping security near Jask, was targeted by a missile attack after ignoring a warning from Iran's Navy," Fars said, citing local sources.
The vessel was unable to continue its route as a result of the attack and "was forced to turn back and flee the area," the outlet said.
No details were given about the extent of damage or possible casualties.
The IRGC earlier warned that any vessels violating transit protocols issued by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz "will be forcefully stopped."
US denies Iranian missiles hit warship
A senior US official denied that Iranian missiles hit a US ship, Axios journalist Barak Ravid said on Monday.
The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel, as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.
A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by direct talks in Islamabad on April 11, but no agreement was reached on a lasting truce.
US President Donald Trump later extended the ceasefire without setting a new deadline, following a request from Pakistan.
Iran releases new map outlining Hormuz areas under its control
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday issued a new map outlining areas in the Strait of Hormuz that it says are under its control.
The designated zone stretches between two defined maritime lines: one running from the western tip of Iran’s Qeshm Island to Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates, and another extending from Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran to the area south of Fujairah in the UAE, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
It was not immediately clear to what degree the claimed area of control has changed.
