Iranian forces fire warning missiles at U.S. warships

Iran’s military fired “warning missiles” at two United States Navy destroyers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, saying the ships subsequently withdrew from the area and headed toward the Indian Ocean.

The statement was released by the Iranian army and reported by the state news agency IRNA.

According to the army, the action was part of Tehran’s ongoing efforts to confront what it described as maritime violations and harassment by U.S. naval forces in the region.

“In continuation of operations to counter maritime misconduct and harassment, as well as the hijacking of commercial vessels and oil tankers by the terrorist naval forces of the United States, following the firing of warning missiles, the hostile destroyers DDG‑103 and DDG‑8 have left the Gulf of Oman towards the Indian Ocean,” the statement read.

The development followed the United States Indo‑Pacific Command’s announcement that American forces had intercepted the sanctioned vessel M/T DAVINA in the Indian Ocean during an overnight operation.

In a statement posted on X, the command reiterated Washington’s commitment to enforcing maritime sanctions linked to Iran.

“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the U.S. military said.

The latest exchange adds to growing tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime activities in the region.

Relations between the two countries have remained strained amid U.S. efforts to tighten sanctions on Iranian oil exports, while Iran has repeatedly warned about shipping activities around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways.

The Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical routes for global energy supplies, making security developments in the region a major concern for international shipping and oil markets.