Iran Claims 5 Civilians Killed In US Strike On Boats In Hormuz

Five civilians were killed in US attacks on cargo boats, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Following the US military’s claim that it had targeted six Iranian speedboats, local sources were consulted to verify the incident, according to Xinhua News Agency, which cited the report. It said none of Iran’s combat vessels had been hit.

The report stated that US forces attacked two small civilian cargo boats travelling from Khasab along the Omani coast toward Iran, killing five passengers onboard.

Brad Cooper, chief of US Central Command, said on Monday that US forces had sunk six Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that the vessels were struck by US Apache and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters.

Separately, CBS News reported that two US Navy destroyers,  the USS Truxtun and the USS Mason, transited the Strait and entered the Gulf after facing coordinated threats.

Pentagon officials, speaking anonymously, said the warships encountered small boats, missiles and drones but were not hit.

All incoming threats were intercepted or deterred with air support, according to Xinhua.

Trump said in a Fox News interview that the Iranians are ‘more malleable’ than before. He warned that any attempt to target US ships would lead to a forceful response.

The US President said they would be ‘blown off the face of the Earth’.

In a separate interview with ABC News, Trump downplayed the latest exchanges, stating that the firing was not heavy and stopped short of calling it a ceasefire violation.

Engagement Details

Cooper earlier said Iranian forces launched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats at protected vessels. US forces destroyed six boats. They also intercepted several incoming threats.

Iran rejected the US account, saying no commercial vessels or oil tankers had transited the strait, according to Tasnim.

The tensions follow a conflict that began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Tehran.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8, followed by inconclusive talks in Islamabad.

Also Read: President Trump Calls On South Korea To Back US Operation In Hormuz