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U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Monday that it would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if it attacks American warships operating under the "Project Freedom" initiative to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The stark intimidation came as U.S. forces moved to escort commercial shipping through the narrow waterway, as Tehran has been tightening its grip on the chokepoint since the conflict began on Feb. 28.
Trump indicated that the U.S. military presence in the region would continue to expand. "We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before," he told Fox News, adding that U.S. bases worldwide remain fully equipped and ready for use if needed.
Tensions in the region escalated on Monday after the U.S. rolled out the initiative, sending warships into the Gulf to escort commercial shipping and push to reopen the strait.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward the warships, with local media claiming that two missiles hit a U.S. vessel, a report later rejected by Washington.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels passed through the strait, a claim Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps dismissed as "baseless," insisting no transits took place and restrictions remain in force.
Separately, in a Truth Social post, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed American forces had shot down seven Iranian "fast boats," adding that no damage had been reported in the strait apart from an incident involving a South Korean cargo ship.
Pointing to the attack on a South Korean ship, Trump called on Seoul to join the U.S. mission to ensure safe passage through the waterway.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Iranian forces had opened fire on U.S. warships and commercial vessels earlier in the day, triggering a defensive response.
"The cruise missiles were going after both U.S. Navy ships, but mostly after commercial shipping," Cooper noted, adding that U.S. forces intercepted the attacks and protected vessels moving through the corridor.
He also pointed to drone launches targeting commercial ships, which were neutralized, while small boats moving against shipping traffic were sunk by Apache helicopters and Seahawk aircraft.
However, an Iranian military official dismissed the U.S. account, calling reports of destroyed boats "false."
Cooper urged Tehran to stay clear of U.S. military assets, warning against further escalation in the area, adding that as of Monday, 50 commercial vessels had been redirected under U.S. coordination to ensure safe transit through the strait.
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