Iran Confirms Missile, Drone Attack on U.S. Destroyers Near Strait of Hormuz
Iran said early Friday that it had carried out a major missile and drone assault on US destroyers operating near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions around one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes.
Tarek ChouirefFriday May 8, 2026
Iran said early Friday that it had carried out a major missile and drone assault on US destroyers operating near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions around one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes.
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In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said the operation was launched after what it called a US ceasefire violation, citing a strike on an Iranian oil tanker near Jask port and the advance of US destroyers toward the strategic waterway.
The statement said Iranian forces mounted a “large-scale and precise combined operation” with ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles and explosive drones aimed at the US destroyers.
It added that intelligence assessments showed the vessels had suffered “significant damage” and that three destroyers had pulled back from the Strait of Hormuz area.
Earlier, Iranian media reported that naval forces had struck three US destroyers near the Strait of Hormuz with missiles and suicide drones after what was described as a US attack on an Iranian oil tanker.
Tasnim News Agency said the ships were retreating toward the Sea of Oman, while Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that the targeted “enemy units” were damaged and forced to withdraw.