US denies Iranian attack on American warship amid Hormuz tensions

The United States on Sunday denied Iranian reports that Iran targeted an unmanned American warship in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between the two countries escalated following renewed attacks last week and Washington's tightening of its maritime blockade on Iran.

Iranian media claimed the US vessel attempted to enter a "restricted" area in the strait, but US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins dismissed the report as a "complete lie," according to the Associated Press.

Ongoing maritime blockade and military escalation

CENTCOM confirmed the continued enforcement of the maritime blockade on Iran, noting that as of September 6, US forces had redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three ships, and inspected two others to ensure full compliance with the blockade.

The command added via its X account that a US Air Force F-35A stealth fighter jet is patrolling above the territorial waters, coinciding with ongoing enforcement operations by American forces.

Targeting of Iranian oil tankers and Tehran's response

The US denial came a day after it announced strikes on three Iranian oil tankers in response to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching ballistic missiles toward two American warships.

In turn, Iran renewed its warnings and threats of a stronger response to any US attacks, declaring that "the rules of engagement have changed." Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that "the era of proportional responses is over," stressing that America must recognize the shift in confrontation rules, according to a post on his Telegram channel.

Collapse of ceasefire agreements and tighter restrictions

The US and Iran resumed attacks last week after nearly a month of relative calm, with renewed escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent Iranian regions.

The two countries had twice announced ceasefire agreements, in April and June, aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the strait, but both deals quickly collapsed. Subsequently, on July 13, the US reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports and restricted vessel movements in an effort to deprive Tehran of oil revenues, Iran's main source of hard currency.