The United States has rejected claims from Iranian media that one of its naval vessels was hit by missiles while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
United States Central Command (Centcom) stated that no US Navy ship had been struck, adding that American forces remain engaged in enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The denial followed a report by Fars News Agency, which alleged that two missiles struck a US vessel after it ignored warnings from Iran’s navy while transiting the strait.
Centcom later clarified that two US-flagged commercial ships had successfully navigated the waterway without incident.
Earlier, Iran’s military had warned it would target any foreign forces entering the strait, particularly US troops.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a warning shot had been fired at the US vessel to deter it from entering, though it remained unclear whether any damage occurred.
Iranian outlets also claimed that American and Israeli naval destroyers were prevented from entering the strait on Monday.
Previously, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would begin efforts to assist merchant ships stranded after Iran shut down the key shipping route at the start of the conflict.
Trump described the initiative, known as “Project Freedom,” as a humanitarian effort, warning that any obstruction would be met with strong force.
Centcom said the operation would involve about 15,000 US troops, guided-missile destroyers, and more than 100 aircraft, while confirming that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
The command also reiterated that US-flagged vessels had safely passed through the strait, without disclosing their identities, adding that American forces are actively working to restore commercial shipping routes.
These developments come as both sides observe a temporary ceasefire that began on April 8, while discussions continue toward a long-term peace agreement.
However, Iranian officials have cautioned that any US intervention in the strait could be seen as a breach of the truce.
Iran’s closure of the vital channel through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows has driven up fuel prices worldwide and left thousands of seafarers stranded aboard around 2,000 vessels.
In a social media post, Trump said countries across the globe had asked the US to help free the trapped ships, describing them as neutral parties caught in the crisis.
He added that the operation would be carried out on behalf of the US, Iran, and other Middle Eastern nations, though he did not specify which countries or how the mission would be implemented.
Trump also noted that ongoing discussions with Iran were progressing positively and could lead to a favourable outcome.
An estimated 20,000 sailors have been stranded in the Gulf since the conflict began, raising concerns over dwindling supplies and the impact on their health and wellbeing.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported on Sunday that a tanker had been struck by an unidentified projectile in the strait, although all crew members were safe.
On Monday, the United Arab Emirates said a tanker linked to its state oil firm had also been hit, but no injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan announced that 22 crew members from the Iranian container ship Touska — seized by the US last month — would be returned to Iranian authorities.
According to officials, 15 of the crew had already been handed over at the Gabd–Rimdan border crossing in Balochistan, though the reason for the remaining seven not being transferred was not disclosed.
The vessel had been intercepted while heading to an Iranian port as part of the US blockade, with its crew taken to Pakistan.
Islamabad described the repatriation as a confidence-building step by the United States.
Trump’s announcement followed reports from Iranian state-linked media that Tehran had received a US response to its latest peace proposal.
Iran said the reply, delivered through Pakistan, was under review, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
The US has not formally confirmed sending a response, though Trump reportedly told Israel’s Kan News that he found the proposal unacceptable.
Iranian media said Tehran’s 14-point plan calls for the withdrawal of US forces from near its borders, an end to the naval blockade, and a halt to all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
The proposal also sets a 30-day timeline for reaching a final agreement and urges both sides to prioritise ending the war rather than extending the current ceasefire.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said there are currently no nuclear negotiations underway, despite this being a key demand from Washington.
Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting its programme is for peaceful purposes, even though it remains the only non-nuclear state enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.
On Saturday, Trump confirmed that the US had received the proposal, saying he would review it but doubting its acceptability, arguing that Iran had not faced sufficient consequences for its actions.
Later, he told reporters he had been briefed on the outline of the deal and was awaiting the full details.
When asked whether military strikes inside Iran could resume, Trump said it remained a possibility, depending on Tehran’s actions.
“If they misbehave,” he said, “we’ll see.”
He also signalled that the US does not intend to fully withdraw from the conflict, saying continued involvement would help prevent future instability.
Iranian state-linked outlets added that Tehran’s proposal was developed in response to a nine-point US plan that proposed a two-month ceasefire.