On 4/5, CBS News reported that US defense officials revealed the USS Truxtun and USS Mason, two destroyers, navigated through the Strait of Hormuz. Their mission was to establish a multi-layered air defense in the Persian Gulf and support merchant vessels leaving the region.

"The two warships, supported by Apache attack helicopters and other aircraft, faced a series of coordinated attacks from the adversary during their transit. Iran deployed speedboats, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles targeting these ships," an official stated.

Destroyer USS Mason sailing in the Atlantic Ocean in February. *US Navy*.

Another individual described Iran's actions as a "rain of fire," involving relentless strikes, but did not specify the number of intercepted targets.

Officials emphasized that US warships implemented defensive measures, combined with air support, successfully intercepting and deterring all threats. "No adversary weapons reached the warships," one person said.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed on 4/5 that the two destroyers had entered the Persian Gulf. Their purpose was to coordinate with other destroyers in the Arabian Sea, forming an "air defense umbrella" to protect commercial shipping operations.

"Over the past few weeks, we used difficult-to-detect capabilities to clear the way, then verified the results in various ways. Ultimately, we accepted the risk and allowed US warships to proceed as an example. We deployed military technology uniquely to create a free route, unhindered by any elements in the strait," Admiral Cooper stated.

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

The USS Mason and USS Truxtun are both Flight IIA versions of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Each is estimated to cost one to 1.5 billion USD. These ships are 155 meters long, have a displacement of over 9,700 tons, and feature the aegis combat system, which serves as the backbone of the US Navy's multi-layered defense network.

Each ship is equipped with 96 vertical launch tubes, divided into two clusters forward and aft of the superstructure. They can deploy tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-2 and SM-3 long-range air defense missiles, and RUM-139 VL-ASROC anti-submarine missiles.

The USS Mason serves as the air defense commander for the George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, which moved into CENTCOM's area of operations in mid-4. The USS Truxtun is part of a group of 10 warships deployed independently in the region, not assigned to a carrier strike group.

Thanh Danh (According to CBS, Anadolu, Reuters)