U.S. forces destroyed Iranian boats and intercepted missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, May 4, 2026, during a confrontation involving naval and aerial threats, a senior U.S. military official said. The U.S. Navy engaged Iranian units after projectiles and drones were launched toward American vessels and commercial shipping in the region, according to officials.

Admiral Brad Cooper said U.S. helicopters struck six Iranian small boats assessed as posing a threat to maritime traffic. All incoming missiles and drones were intercepted, he added. Cooper said most of the projectiles were aimed at civilian ships, while some targeted U.S. naval assets. “Forces acted in defense of both military and commercial vessels,” he said.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. U.S. Central Command said two guided-missile destroyers entered the Gulf through the strait as part of ongoing security operations. Iranian state television earlier reported that its forces launched missiles and drones near U.S. ships, describing the move as a “warning.” Tehran later denied U.S. claims that Iranian boats were destroyed.

The conflicting accounts underscore the risk of further escalation in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.