Iran’s military on Friday launched “warning missiles” toward two United States Navy destroyers operating in the Gulf of Oman, claiming the vessels subsequently left the area and headed toward the Indian Ocean.
The claim was contained in a statement issued by the Iranian army and reported by the country’s state news agency, IRNA.
According to the statement, the action formed part of ongoing efforts by Tehran to confront what it described as maritime violations and harassment by US naval forces in the region.
“In continuation of operations to counter maritime misconduct and harassment, as well as the hijacking of commercial vessels and oil tankers by the terrorist naval forces of the United States, following the firing of warning missiles, the hostile destroyers DDG-103 and DDG-8 have left the Gulf of Oman towards the Indian Ocean,” the statement said.
The development came shortly after the United States Indo-Pacific Command announced that American forces had intercepted the sanctioned vessel, M/T DAVINA, in the Indian Ocean during an overnight operation.
In a statement posted on X, the command reiterated Washington’s commitment to enforcing maritime sanctions linked to Iran.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the US military said.
The latest exchange adds to growing tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime activities in the region.
Relations between the two countries have remained strained amid US efforts to tighten sanctions on Iranian oil exports, while Iran has repeatedly issued warnings regarding shipping activities around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways.
The Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical routes for global energy supplies, making security developments in the region a major concern for international shipping and oil markets.
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