Iran claims to have pushed US warships over 400 km from Hormuz

Iranian officials say no US warships remain in the Persian Gulf, warning that Tehran could strike adversaries with new weapons.

General Hossein Mohebbi, spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated on 9/9 that the US typically maintained 30 to 40 vessels in the Persian Gulf before the Middle East conflict. "Currently, no US warships are present in this area. All US warships must remain at least 400 km away from the Strait of Hormuz," he added.

The IRGC spokesperson further stated that Iran possesses the capability to strike distant targets using new weapons and missiles. "We hit an aircraft carrier from a distance of 500 km a few days ago. If the enemy attacks two or three of our targets, we will respond forcefully by striking 20 targets," he asserted.

Mohebbi in a photo posted in April. *Photo: Tasnim*

The Iranian general stressed that the nation's control over the Strait of Hormuz is now "a demonstrable reality". He warned that vessels would be unable to navigate the strait without "taking Iran's management" of the maritime route into account.

On the same day, the IRGC announced it had attacked two US warships and 8 oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. It also reported targeting 10 vessels attempting to traverse a "forbidden and unsafe area" of the Strait of Hormuz. It remains unclear if the two US warships mentioned were the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers that the IRGC previously claimed to have "severely damaged".

US Central Command (CENTCOM), the body overseeing US military operations in the Middle East, refuted these claims. CENTCOM affirmed that no warships were struck and all Iranian attacks failed.

Location of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. *Graphic: Guardian*

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), managed by the British navy, reported that several merchant vessels were disabled by incoming fire in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Iran launched missiles targeting US warships, including an aircraft carrier, at least three times last week. Tehran also fired a barrage of missiles at US forces in Jordan in the early hours of 9/9.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that these attacks have placed US warships in a significantly more perilous situation than previously, as Iran has begun deploying missiles with maneuverable warheads.

CENTCOM stated that US aircraft carriers and destroyers "successfully evaded" the enemy attacks. Nevertheless, these strikes have raised concerns among US officials that Iran has enhanced its targeting capabilities, potentially with foreign assistance.