Iran has reportedly fired upon a U.S. naval vessel during Project Freedom, an operation designed to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz while enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that 15,000 U.S. service members are engaged in Project Freedom to assist commercial vessels navigating the strait. He confirmed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched drones and missiles within the past several hours to disrupt the mission.

An Iranian official informed that Tehran fired a warning shot and it remains unclear whether the warship sustained damage.

Iran has previously claimed strikes on American naval assets since February 28, including allegations of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier being hit in March. However, CENTCOM had previously stated that missiles launched during that incident did not come close to the ship.

President Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. would guide ships out of the strait under Project Freedom and warned that Iranian efforts to block them “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

Iran responded by warning that any vessels attempting to pass through must first coordinate with Tehran, and that attempts to force open the strait would be met with resistance.

Maj. Gen. Pilot Ali Abdollahi of Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB stated: “We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted.”

CENTCOM denied claims that a U.S. warship was struck by two missiles, asserting: “No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”

Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed Monday that Iran launched an attack using cruise missiles, drones, and small boats targeting U.S. commercial and military vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States destroyed six Iranian small boats that attempted to interfere, with Cooper advising Iranian vessels to “remain clear of U.S. military assets” in the region.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency rejected Cooper’s account, stating that none of its so-called “fast boats” were destroyed.