US denies Iran’s claim it hit navy warship in strait

denial | Forces supporting Project Freedom, enforcing blockade: US

Agencies

Dubai

Iran on Monday claimed to have fired two missiles at a US Navy vessel after it attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump announced Washington would guide trapped ships through the blockaded waterway. The US military denied the claim by the Fars news agency that one of its Navy ships was hit by Iranian missiles in the strait, after the outlet reported a US ship was “targeted in a missile attack after ignoring a warning from the naval forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“No US Navy ships have been struck,” US Central Command said. “US forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”

Denying that any ships were hit, CENTCOM did not mention whether any US Navy vessels came under fire but weren’t struck. Citing sources, Fars said the ship was “unable to continue its course following the strikes and was forced to retreat and flee the area.”

ANOTHER british VESSEL ATTACKED

Projectiles struck a ship in the narrow Strait of Hormuz, the British military said on Monday, the second such attack in hours as tensions remain high between Iran and the US. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center issued the alert, saying a tanker had been targeted off Fujairah, UAE, in the strait around 11.40 pm on Sunday.

It described the tanker has been struck by “unknown projectiles”. “All crew reported safe,” the centre said. “No environmental impact reported.” Another ship came under attack in the strait on Sunday.

IRANIAN CREW TAKEN OFF SEIZED TANKER

Pakistan said Monday it has facilitated the transfer of 22 crew members from an Iranian vessel seized earlier by the US, describing the move as a confidence-building mea­sure as Islamabad attempts to revive talks. Pakistan hosted face-to-face talks last month.

Foreign ministry said the crew members, who had been aboard the Iranian container ship MV Touska, were flown to Pakistan overnight. They were expected to be handed over to Iran. The vessel will be brought into Pak territorial waters for repairs before being returned to owners. The process is being coordinated with Iran and the US.

Meanwhile, the US military said two American-flagged merchant ships transited the strait after it launched an initiative to restore traffic. The UAE issued three missile alerts and officials said an Iranian drone hit an oil facility. A blast and fire broke out aboard a South Korean-operated ship anchored in the strait, though cause was unkn­o­wn, South Korean govt said.