Iranian military claims to have launched cautionary projectiles at American warships in the Gulf of Oman

Iran's military reportedly launched "warning missiles" at two US destroyers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, prompting the vessels to depart the area, as stated by state media.

n

According to a statement released by the state news agency IRNA, the two destroyers exited the Gulf of Oman after Iranian forces fired the warning missiles.

n

The military action was said to be a response to "maritime misconduct and harassment, as well as the hijacking of commercial vessels and oil tankers" by US naval forces, which Iran referred to as "terrorist naval forces".

n

The US military's Central Command promptly denied the incident, stating that Iranian forces did not attack or fire at US Navy warships, as this would be a serious breach of the ceasefire.

n

Central Command also affirmed that its forces continue to operate freely in regional waters, while enforcing the US counterblockade on Iranian ports.

n

This development marks the latest incident to test the ceasefire announced on April 8, which has largely brought an end to hostilities between Iran, the US, and Israel since the outbreak of war on February 28.

n

Efforts to bring a permanent end to the war through direct and mediated talks have thus far been unsuccessful.

n

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US was no longer conducting sustained strikes against Iran, as Operation Epic Fury had come to an end.

n

Rubio added that the US had destroyed the remainder of Iran's air force, in addition to eliminating its conventional navy.

n

Since the start of the war, Iran has imposed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway connecting the Gulf to the Indian Ocean.

n

The US subsequently established its own blockade of Iranian ports, in response to Iran's actions.

n

The Strait of Hormuz is a significant chokepoint, with a fifth of the world's oil having passed through it during peacetime.