US forces attacked Iranian speedboats and an anti-aircraft missile system that were attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz and opened fire on US aircraft. Fox News journalist Jennifer Griffin has reported this on X.
According to the journalist, US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed that the strikes in southern Iran were carried out in self-defense. The attack was aimed at protecting US service members from threats posed by Iranian forces. The targets were missile launchers and vessels attempting to lay mines.
Subsequently, citing informed sources in the US Department of Defense, it was clarified that the US military destroyed two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats in the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, US forces struck an anti-aircraft missile system in Bandar Abbas. This move was a direct response to the aggression, as Iranian air defenses did not merely target US aircraft but actually fired upon them.
US officials emphasize that these actions were exclusively defensive, not offensive, so the incident does not mean the end of the ceasefire. Currently, the US strikes have been fully completed. The situation unfolded against the backdrop of recent agreements under which Iran committed to opening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, oil prices are falling sharply due to negotiations between the US and Iran: the market expects the Strait of Hormuz to open.
On Thursday, May 21, oil prices rose by more than 1%, partially recouping previous losses, as investors monitored peace talks between the US and Iran, while limited supply and a decline in US inventories provided some support to the market.
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