US Military: Missile Destroyers Enter Persian Gulf, Two Merchant Ships Pass Strait of Hormuz
The US military announced that two missile destroyers have entered the Persian Gulf to break through an Iranian blockade, with two US merchant ships subsequently passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This follows Iran's earlier claim of blocking a US warship.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 23:08
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 23:31 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 23:34 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Dubai/Washington CNA 4th comprehensive foreign report) -- The U.S. military announced that two U.S. Navy missile destroyers have entered the Persian Gulf to break through Iran's blockade, while also pointing out that two U.S. merchant ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, Iran had claimed to have prevented a U.S. warship from entering the Persian Gulf.
Reuters reported that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated its forces are supporting U.S. President Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" while enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports.
Project Freedom aims to "guide" merchant ships that were stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the U.S.-Iran war out of the area.
This intervention appears to heighten the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway. This strait normally carries one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil and natural gas volume but had been blockaded for two months due to the war.
CENTCOM stated that during the U.S. destroyers' mission in the Persian Gulf, two U.S.-flagged merchant ships passed through the strait, adding: "U.S. forces are actively assisting in restoring merchant ship passage."
Earlier today, Iran claimed it had forced a U.S. warship to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz. However, CENTCOM quickly denied Iranian media reports that the warship had been hit by a missile.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran did fire a warning shot, but it is unclear whether the warship was damaged.
Following the news of the U.S. ship being forced back, international crude oil prices temporarily surged by 5%, but by 12:20 GMT, the increase had fallen back to around 2.5%. (Compiler: Yang Chao-yen) 1150504
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Reuters reported that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated its forces are supporting U.S. President Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" while enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports.
Project Freedom aims to "guide" merchant ships that were stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the U.S.-Iran war out of the area.
This intervention appears to heighten the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway. This strait normally carries one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil and natural gas volume but had been blockaded for two months due to the war.
CENTCOM stated that during the U.S. destroyers' mission in the Persian Gulf, two U.S.-flagged merchant ships passed through the strait, adding: "U.S. forces are actively assisting in restoring merchant ship passage."
Earlier today, Iran claimed it had forced a U.S. warship to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz. However, CENTCOM quickly denied Iranian media reports that the warship had been hit by a missile.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran did fire a warning shot, but it is unclear whether the warship was damaged.
Following the news of the U.S. ship being forced back, international crude oil prices temporarily surged by 5%, but by 12:20 GMT, the increase had fallen back to around 2.5%. (Compiler: Yang Chao-yen) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Without authorization, the text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized.